Edinburgh v Ulster Nov 30 2020

[joe soap]

Mata back, on bench, which has another 6/2 split. 23 missing injured or international call ups

Still a strong pack (except 3 and 4) who should be able to hold their own at least. But Ulster going well.


https://www.edinburghrugby.org/the-club ... ace-ulster

dead in here innit

[The Chiel]

Good to see another ex London Scot in the squad. I confess I didn't know he was in contention at Edinburgh.

[TheSmidge]

Good to see another ex London Scot in the squad. I confess I didn't know he was in contention at Edinburgh.

Not sure that many would have known that. Very much a case of necessity as well, but I hope he grabs the chance to impress.

The only other back not in the 23, listed as injured, or on international duty, is Nic Groom. Even with a 6-2 split on the bench, going with two 9s is a bit extreme.

The only others in the entire squad available are Sykes, Darge and Kitchen, though that does exclude the academy players. I'm genuinely concerned for this season's academy crop as they are getting no game time at all of any sort, but that is the case everywhere in the NH at the moment. It does have implications for the potential to get the U20s back into the JRWC, whenever that may occur next, and the medium-term player pathways.

[liveinhope]

Probably just as well no game this weekend so gives twelve days till the La rRchelle match and hopefully a chance for a few to come back off the injury list? Suspect not too many of the Scotland squad will be available -Toolis,Haining,Bhatti and possibly Kinghorn if not in 23 on Saturday-as they will probably need rest protocol time after such a lengthy international period.

[JDCSR]

Good to see another ex London Scot in the squad. I confess I didn't know he was in contention at Edinburgh.

Not sure that many would have known that. Very much a case of necessity as well, but I hope he grabs the chance to impress.

The only other back not in the 23, listed as injured, or on international duty, is Nic Groom. Even with a 6-2 split on the bench, going with two 9s is a bit extreme.

The only others in the entire squad available are Sykes, Darge and Kitchen, though that does exclude the academy players. I'm genuinely concerned for this season's academy crop as they are getting no game time at all of any sort, but that is the case everywhere in the NH at the moment. It does have implications for the potential to get the U20s back into the JRWC, whenever that may occur next, and the medium-term player pathways.

To be fair with Blain and Chamberlain starting and Hodgson, Grahamslaw, Gamble, Boyle and Shiel on the bench there are plenty of young prospects in the side. In Scotland terms our under 20 sides have always had very, very few players with pro appearances compared to others but at least we are seeing them break through in their early 20s now. Off the top of my head McDowell and Matt Fagerson are the only players in the last couple years I remember playing for the under 20s whilst having Pro14 minutes under their belt.

[gowrie]

Pretty sure Blain made his debut last season too before playing for the U20s

[Pitfitter446]

Squad looks as good we can manage so hopefully they can exceed expectations(ours and Ulster’s) and we get a good game tonight, a win would be great but depending on Ulster’s team a LBP might be our best hope. I’d rather be hopeful here than disappointed tomorrow.

[TheSmidge]

Good to see another ex London Scot in the squad. I confess I didn't know he was in contention at Edinburgh.

Not sure that many would have known that. Very much a case of necessity as well, but I hope he grabs the chance to impress.

The only other back not in the 23, listed as injured, or on international duty, is Nic Groom. Even with a 6-2 split on the bench, going with two 9s is a bit extreme.

The only others in the entire squad available are Sykes, Darge and Kitchen, though that does exclude the academy players. I'm genuinely concerned for this season's academy crop as they are getting no game time at all of any sort, but that is the case everywhere in the NH at the moment. It does have implications for the potential to get the U20s back into the JRWC, whenever that may occur next, and the medium-term player pathways.

To be fair with Blain and Chamberlain starting and Hodgson, Grahamslaw, Gamble, Boyle and Shiel on the bench there are plenty of young prospects in the side. In Scotland terms our under 20 sides have always had very, very few players with pro appearances compared to others but at least we are seeing them break through in their early 20s now. Off the top of my head McDowell and Matt Fagerson are the only players in the last couple years I remember playing for the under 20s whilst having Pro14 minutes under their belt.

How many of those players will actually still qualify for the u20s? At most, they'll probably have one more season at that level and, even then, the squad announced today excluded them all because they are in the pro bubble.

My concern is the medium-term effect on the generation of players who are at early stages in the academy, who will form the nucleus of the u20s in the next couple of years but are simply getting no rugby at all right now. I'm pleased that we have 5 or 6 who players who are getting exposure, but there is a whole group who are effectively twiddling their thumbs. At best, they are providing opposition in pro team training.

[JDCSR]

Not sure that many would have known that. Very much a case of necessity as well, but I hope he grabs the chance to impress.

The only other back not in the 23, listed as injured, or on international duty, is Nic Groom. Even with a 6-2 split on the bench, going with two 9s is a bit extreme.

The only others in the entire squad available are Sykes, Darge and Kitchen, though that does exclude the academy players. I'm genuinely concerned for this season's academy crop as they are getting no game time at all of any sort, but that is the case everywhere in the NH at the moment. It does have implications for the potential to get the U20s back into the JRWC, whenever that may occur next, and the medium-term player pathways.

To be fair with Blain and Chamberlain starting and Hodgson, Grahamslaw, Gamble, Boyle and Shiel on the bench there are plenty of young prospects in the side. In Scotland terms our under 20 sides have always had very, very few players with pro appearances compared to others but at least we are seeing them break through in their early 20s now. Off the top of my head McDowell and Matt Fagerson are the only players in the last couple years I remember playing for the under 20s whilst having Pro14 minutes under their belt.

How many of those players will actually still qualify for the u20s? At most, they'll probably have one more season at that level and, even then, the squad announced today excluded them all because they are in the pro bubble.

My concern is the medium-term effect on the generation of players who are at early stages in the academy, who will form the nucleus of the u20s in the next couple of years but are simply getting no rugby at all right now. I'm pleased that we have 5 or 6 who players who are getting exposure, but there is a whole group who are effectively twiddling their thumbs. At best, they are providing opposition in pro team training.

Perhaps I wasn't clear. None of them qualify for the under 20s (other than maybe Gamble) which was my first point. With that many young players already involved it's no surprise there aren't academy players involved.

The second point was that we never have under 20 squads with more than a handful of pro appearances but we have plenty of young players coming into the side now anyhow as seen in the above lineup.

[The Feral Goat]

Grim viewing again.

Not convinced Ulster did not hold their jumper up to buy the pen before 2nd try but minor given our own shortcomings across every aspect at present.

[gowrie]

This is horrendous, how the hell did Pyrgos drop that? Total collapse

[The Feral Goat]

Possibly worst 30mins since cockerill took over

[joe soap]

This is horrendous, how the hell did Pyrgos drop that? Total collapse

think he clipped Cherry ? at the back of the maul

Nice line by Blain

[joe soap]

Possibly worst 30mins since cockerill took over

organisation is a shambles, both sides of the ball. Being kids or whatever is one thing,but been together weeks now. No excuse really

[gowrie]

Good line by Blain, and a very good catch from Johnstone. Dean has had some strong carries in the last few minutes