v Pau Friday 8th of April

[Impega]

Definitely took their collective foot off the gas in the second-half, but given the game was long since done and dusted that is to be expected. The injuries to De Bruin and Venter are a bit concerning, the latter in particular did not look at all good.

Someone who stood out for me was Matt Currie. From a defensive point of view he was absolutely exceptional and is a really tremendous reader of the game. He also got the ball in hand a good deal more than recent times and showed some very nice touches.

Pyrgos had a good game too, and whilst I'm not suggesting he ought to be first-choice for club or country I think he still has a more intelligent rugby brain than any other Scottish nine.

[Martin Bell]

Short notes of events at Minifield: http://www.edinburghgunners.org.uk/matchday/reports

[Tichtheid]

Short notes of events at Minifield: http://www.edinburghgunners.org.uk/matchday/reports

Great stuff Martin.

I was a little down beat at the end of last season when we lost a couple of Lions, but Ramiro "Pampas Predator" Moyano almost has me asking, "Duhan who?" He's a completely different type of player obviously, but 9 tries in eleven games is not to be sniffed at. Whilst I'm not going to spend too long on what might have been, you can't help but wonder what the big laddie would have been doing at the sharp end of this current midfield and how they are playing, his 32 tries in 67 games for Edinburgh suggest he would have been in his element in this team.

Anyway, bygones, Matt Currie is going to be a serious player as is Boyle. Hank seems to be a little up and down this season but he did have a good one on Friday. I hope we get some good news regarding the injuries and especially the props during the week. I punched the air and let out a yelp when I saw WP score on the highlights video, Lang may his lum reek.

So, Bath it is next week. We should respect them but not fear them.

[JDCSR]

Lang and Dean at 12 with Currie and Bennett at 13 is as good as I can remember our options at centre.

Fingers crossed for some swift recoveries in the frontrow though or at least an opportunity for big Euan McLaren if not.

[Tichtheid]

I've been watching the highlights again and the Pau try is an absolute stoater. I had to replay it a couple of times to see exactly what they did, the dummy run from the 15, the delayed pass from the 10 and the 23 coming in late as late can be to avoid any attention from the defence - beautifully executed.

We scored off a similar move against Dragons, I think it was. Pyrgos with beautifully delayed pass back, it may have been Damo who scored, someone with a better memory than me will correct me, I'm sure.

[Martin Bell]

It was a lovely score, wasn't it? Happily, an aberration on Friday. Looking forward to Bath.

[sammy]

Is the Bath game included in the Season Ticket?

[Martin Bell]

Unfortunately not. But you do have a pre-sale window until 1000 on Monday morning to buy tickets for your existing seats, after which they can be bought by others. It should come up if you log in to your SRU ticketing account.

[sammy]

Thanks Martin, will logon and secure my seat.

[Tichtheid]

yet another addendum to my post about the game, sorry, I know youse were waiting - apparently Freddie O was scoring tries like billyo at Melrose at the weekend

He's a wee bit long in the tooth to be sent to the Scotland 7s for a year, but a few games wouldn't hurt, I'm sure

[robdinsdale]

yet another addendum to my post about the game, sorry, I know youse were waiting - apparently Freddie O was scoring tries like billyo at Melrose at the weekend

He's a wee bit long in the tooth to be sent to the Scotland 7s for a year, but a few games wouldn't hurt, I'm sure

Mike Blair was talking a wee while back about him maybe getting sent to the 7s for a bit so it could be on the agenda.

[dolf_lundgren]

Normally I would agree re sending him to the 7s, but he is 25 now, so he cant really afford to lose another year. It helped the likes of Lee Jones re-find his mojo when he lost a bit of form and confidence, I dont think Owsley lacks confidence though, so would 7s really help?

I like him going forward but his defence needs work. Havent seen it, but by all accounts his red card yesterday was harsh.

It may just be he is a good squad player who is able to step up and do a job when needed without really challenging the starters. Nothing wrong with that, and he always poses a threat.

[BigD163]

yet another addendum to my post about the game, sorry, I know youse were waiting - apparently Freddie O was scoring tries like billyo at Melrose at the weekend

He's a wee bit long in the tooth to be sent to the Scotland 7s for a year, but a few games wouldn't hurt, I'm sure

Mike Blair was talking a wee while back about him maybe getting sent to the 7s for a bit so it could be on the agenda.

His red was very questionable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxH3Gwup_fo

Few things to unpick on this one. Why didn't the TJ call in sooner rather than wasting time. In 7s this is important, lots of time was lost.

Secondly, either why hasn't the ref penalised it at the time or stood up to his TJ? He had the best view in the house.

Thirdly, Owlsey could go lower, but in 7s it is often more important to target the ball. Risk taken by the player.

Fourthly because I am on a roll, the player showed no sign of a head knock, head didn't snap back and he didn't get up showing any effects of the hit. So arguably not at force.

I am all for player protection, but I find that call very harsh.

[Trophyhunter]

It was a ridiculous call he has clearly tried to dislodge the ball and contact is clumsy at worst .Nobody sees or reacts to it in real time and even the expert eye of Lee Jones in commentary is at a loss to explain it.

[robdinsdale]

It was a ridiculous call he has clearly tried to dislodge the ball and contact is clumsy at worst .Nobody sees or reacts to it in real time and even the expert eye of Lee Jones in commentary is at a loss to explain it.

You still get a red card if you are clumsy, but I'm not convinced that there was even much in the way of head contact (with the angle that we have on the footage).