First Game vs Dragons

[dolf_lundgren]

Looks like this is going ahead, vital that we kick off with a win. Although Dragons will have improved a bit, we have a tough start so this has to be a banker.

Im assuming the bulk of the Scotland tourists will still be missing, we shoudl still have a very competitive squad, not easy t know who has had enough minutes to be ready to go, but have to assume those who have started both games are in poll position. . Id go with...

15. Immelman
14. Blain
13. Dean
12. Lang
11. Hoyland
10. Jaco
9. Vellacott

1. Auterac
2. Cherry
3. Williams
4. Sykes
5. Hodgson
6. Ritchie
7. Boyle
8. Muncaster

16. McBurney
17. Venter
18. Atalifo
19. Skinner
20. Crosbie
21. Pyrgos
22. Currie
23. Savala

The second and back row are a nightmare to choose! Currie over Hutchison simply as he gives a bit of cover on the wing and Dean can play 12.

[robdinsdale]

Looks like this is going ahead, vital that we kick off with a win. Although Dragons will have improved a bit, we have a tough start so this has to be a banker.

Im assuming the bulk of the Scotland tourists will still be missing, we shoudl still have a very competitive squad, not easy t know who has had enough minutes to be ready to go, but have to assume those who have started both games are in poll position. . Id go with...

15. Immelman
14. Blain
13. Dean
12. Lang
11. Hoyland
10. Jaco
9. Vellacott

1. Auterac
2. Cherry
3. Williams
4. Sykes
5. Hodgson
6. Ritchie
7. Boyle
8. Muncaster

16. McBurney
17. Venter
18. Atalifo
19. Skinner
20. Crosbie
21. Pyrgos
22. Currie
23. Savala

The second and back row are a nightmare to choose! Currie over Hutchison simply as he gives a bit of cover on the wing and Dean can play 12.

Mata doesn't even make it onto the bench!

[Tichtheid]

Personally, I think Dean has played his way into being first choice inside centre and I'd take a punt on Matt Currie to start in his strongest position alongside him.

[dolf_lundgren]

True re Mata, in fairness a lot to do with fitness, I wouldnt want him to have to play 70mins if there were an injury, Corsbie is perfect for the bench as he can cover the whole back row. Skinner adds a dimension too if we want more bulk.

I think Dean has played well, I just think that Lang gives us a bit of assurity and kicking option, given none of our 10s are world class and our best has a bit of a weakness in his kicking game he just settles things a little. Mark Bennet makes things really interesting when he is available.

[liveinhope]

Its a tricky one (selection).Dean played very well at the end of last season although Lang had looked very classy before (then not helped by injuries).So Dean may well start at OS.Currie a good bench option.
Back row a (good) nightmare! Maybe best to ease Mata back and best not to start both him and Ritchie together after long term injuries.
I hope nobody is expecting Saturday to be easy! Equally vital we win given they'll need a fillip with (presumably) a long flight to SA on Sunday night.

[Impega]

Despite our improvements over recent seasons, I imagine the Dragons still look upon this tie as one of their better opportunities for a rare away win.

There can be absolutely no complacency from the Edinburgh players. Several of them ought to be fired right up to show Blair they should keep their jerseys when the internationals are all back.

[The Nudger]

Are Internationals being held back?

[robdinsdale]

Are Internationals being held back?

Sounds like some of them are anyway. In Mish's interview on the Offside Line this week there's some chat about him and some others not playing until they've done a couple more weeks of S&C.

[dolf_lundgren]

I think its fair enough that some of them get a decent summer break, the likes of Mish, Gilcho, Schoe, Kinghorn, Darcy and Bennet played a lot of minutes in Argentina. So good to let them recover before pre-season.

Not sure what the situation is with Nel, not sure if just giving him a rest or a more serious injury? We really need him.

[Pitfitter446]

Andrea Piardi the ref for Saturday.

Glasgow have Murphy.

[robdinsdale]

Andrea Piardi the ref for Saturday.

Glasgow have Murphy.

Hope Piardi is a bit less generous with the yellow card against us than last week.

[robdinsdale]

Charlie Shiel and Luan De Bruin are both starting for Southern Knights in the Super 6 tomorrow night, so we know they won't be in the 23. Good to see Luan getting back to fitness, since we barely saw him last season.

[dolf_lundgren]

Glasgow have included some Scotland players in thier team for this weekend. Possibly a symptom of them not being able to play pre season games therefore they are at less of a disadvantage.

So we may see some of them play this weekend after all?

I think we are looking pretty strong without them so no need to rush. Kinghorn and Darcy would make a big difference though.

[The Feral Goat]

15. Henry Immelman (16)
14. Darcy Graham (50)
13. Mark Bennett VICE-CAPTAIN (71)
12. Chris Dean (121)
11. Damien Hoyland (94)
10. Charlie Savala (11)
9. Ben Vellacott (21)

1. Boan Venter (25)
2. Dave Cherry VICE-CAPTAIN (57)
3. Angus Williams (12)
4. Marshall Sykes (23)
5. Glen Young (12)
6. Jamie Ritchie CAPTAIN (85)
7. Luke Crosbie (69)
8. Viliame Mata (95)

Replacements

16. Stuart McInally (165)
17. Pierre Schoeman (83)
18. WP Nel (171)
19. Sam Skinner*
20. Nick Haining (25)
21. Henry Pyrgos (70)
22. Blair Kinghorn (119)
23. James Lang (19)

Unavailable: Wes Goosen, Jake Henry, Mesu Kunavula

No messing about very strong squad

[Pitfitter446]

Looking forward to the season as a whole, the two games in SA will be an indication of if we have progressed?