NPR

Embra are a bit short at lock and scrum half for this weekend - Glen Young has to wait to see if his wife gives birth before travelling and Gilcho is being assessed today. If neither play, Maggie will move forward.

Sheil is out till next season after a knock in the kidneys, Connor McAlpine will be on the bench.

Tichtheid wrote: Tue May 27, 2025 10:18 am Embra are a bit short at lock and scrum half for this weekend - Glen Young has to wait to see if his wife gives birth before travelling and Gilcho is being assessed today. If neither play, Maggie will move forward.

Sheil is out till next season after a knock in the kidneys, Connor McAlpine will be on the bench.

It does show where Carmichael and McVie are in Everitt's thoughts that Bradbury is going to play lock instead of one of them on the bench.

I like neeps wrote: Tue May 27, 2025 10:37 am

Tichtheid wrote: Tue May 27, 2025 10:18 am Embra are a bit short at lock and scrum half for this weekend - Glen Young has to wait to see if his wife gives birth before travelling and Gilcho is being assessed today. If neither play, Maggie will move forward.

Sheil is out till next season after a knock in the kidneys, Connor McAlpine will be on the bench.

It does show where Carmichael and McVie are in Everitt's thoughts that Bradbury is going to play lock instead of one of them on the bench.

Carmichael picked up an injury when he played in the last game against Bulls and isn't back yet.

McVie managed one start for Doncaster in his loan spell down there this season - I probably wouldn't be chucking him on against Bulls either. Moving Bradbury forward and having McConnell/Douglas on the bench instead seems reasonable.

robmatic wrote: Tue May 27, 2025 11:42 am

I like neeps wrote: Tue May 27, 2025 10:37 am

Tichtheid wrote: Tue May 27, 2025 10:18 am Embra are a bit short at lock and scrum half for this weekend - Glen Young has to wait to see if his wife gives birth before travelling and Gilcho is being assessed today. If neither play, Maggie will move forward.

Sheil is out till next season after a knock in the kidneys, Connor McAlpine will be on the bench.

It does show where Carmichael and McVie are in Everitt's thoughts that Bradbury is going to play lock instead of one of them on the bench.

Carmichael picked up an injury when he played in the last game against Bulls and isn't back yet.

McVie managed one start for Doncaster in his loan spell down there this season - I probably wouldn't be chucking him on against Bulls either. Moving Bradbury forward and having McConnell/Douglas on the bench instead seems reasonable.

Ah didn't realise about Carmichael being one of the injuries.

Yeah I doubt McVie will make it at Edinburgh sadly.

KingBlairhorn wrote: Sun May 25, 2025 8:04 pm

I like neeps wrote: Sun May 25, 2025 5:58 pm Interesting than Edinburgh had 17 year old Rory Brogan at the Melrose 7s. One to watch.

I think Henry Widdowson is also 17.

Interestingly Ben McFarlane who was playing is/was contracted to Ulster. He’s on trial at Edinburgh.

Edit: Widdowson is a 10.

I just watched the behind-the-scenes thingy on Youtube. Ross Wolfenden looks a big unit for a fly half and is also still young.

robmatic wrote: Wed May 28, 2025 8:37 am

KingBlairhorn wrote: Sun May 25, 2025 8:04 pm

I like neeps wrote: Sun May 25, 2025 5:58 pm Interesting than Edinburgh had 17 year old Rory Brogan at the Melrose 7s. One to watch.

I think Henry Widdowson is also 17.

Interestingly Ben McFarlane who was playing is/was contracted to Ulster. He’s on trial at Edinburgh.

Edit: Widdowson is a 10.

I just watched the behind-the-scenes thingy on Youtube. Ross Wolfenden looks a big unit for a fly half and is also still young.

Which probably means someone will want to move him to 12

Biffer wrote: Wed May 28, 2025 10:29 am

robmatic wrote: Wed May 28, 2025 8:37 am

KingBlairhorn wrote: Sun May 25, 2025 8:04 pm

I think Henry Widdowson is also 17.

Interestingly Ben McFarlane who was playing is/was contracted to Ulster. He’s on trial at Edinburgh.

Edit: Widdowson is a 10.

I just watched the behind-the-scenes thingy on Youtube. Ross Wolfenden looks a big unit for a fly half and is also still young.

Which probably means someone will want to move him to 12

Story of my "career"

Embra have got 20 year old Fin Thompson who is a big laddie, he's an out and out 12 at this level. With him, Tuipulotu and Lang we are pretty well stocked for inside centre - Mosese also being a 13 along with Piers O'Connor being able to cover from 12 outwards.

Stephen Donald is 6’3” and won a WC for NZ playing at 10. I sometimes wonder if there is too much pressure in the UK to pigeon-hole players based on their body shape.

Yr Alban wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 8:28 am Stephen Donald is 6’3” and won a WC for NZ playing at 10. I sometimes wonder if there is too much pressure in the UK to pigeon-hole players based on their body shape.

Is there really any other position besides 10 he could play? He's too big for 9, too slow for 11-15. He's a kicker only.

Sandstorm wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 8:49 am

Yr Alban wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 8:28 am Stephen Donald is 6’3” and won a WC for NZ playing at 10. I sometimes wonder if there is too much pressure in the UK to pigeon-hole players based on their body shape.

Is there really any other position besides 10 he could play? He's too big for 9, too slow for 11-15. He's a kicker only.

Wasn't Henry Haniball also tall for a 10? I seem to remember being relieved that he justified my existence

Yr Alban wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 8:28 am Stephen Donald is 6’3” and won a WC for NZ playing at 10. I sometimes wonder if there is too much pressure in the UK to pigeon-hole players based on their body shape.

Very much my point.

Sandstorm wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 8:49 am

Yr Alban wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 8:28 am Stephen Donald is 6’3” and won a WC for NZ playing at 10. I sometimes wonder if there is too much pressure in the UK to pigeon-hole players based on their body shape.

Is there really any other position besides 10 he could play? He's too big for 9, too slow for 11-15. He's a kicker only.

Interesting point about 9. Is there any actual reason for the 9 to be the shortest player on the team? Or is it just that that’s where smaller kids were told to play?

Just had a quick Google. Joost was 6’1”, Conor Murray 6’2”, and Mike Phillips 6’3”, so there have been a few bigger ones.

Yr Alban wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 11:55 am

Sandstorm wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 8:49 am

Yr Alban wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 8:28 am Stephen Donald is 6’3” and won a WC for NZ playing at 10. I sometimes wonder if there is too much pressure in the UK to pigeon-hole players based on their body shape.

Is there really any other position besides 10 he could play? He's too big for 9, too slow for 11-15. He's a kicker only.

Interesting point about 9. Is there any actual reason for the 9 to be the shortest player on the team? Or is it just that that’s where smaller kids were told to play?

Just had a quick Google. Joost was 6’1”, Conor Murray 6’2”, and Mike Phillips 6’3”, so there have been a few bigger ones.

I'd think the theory is if you're the guy picking the ball up off the ground and getting it away quickly, a wee guy has less distance to get to ground and less time to get upright into passing position.

Also wee guys are more likely to be lippy little fuckers which is an essential part of being a 9.

The bigger 9s can play as an extra backrow, Terry Holmes was around the same height as Finlay Calder and used his size to great effect.

Biffer wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 12:06 pm

Yr Alban wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 11:55 am

Sandstorm wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 8:49 am

Is there really any other position besides 10 he could play? He's too big for 9, too slow for 11-15. He's a kicker only.

Interesting point about 9. Is there any actual reason for the 9 to be the shortest player on the team? Or is it just that that’s where smaller kids were told to play?

Just had a quick Google. Joost was 6’1”, Conor Murray 6’2”, and Mike Phillips 6’3”, so there have been a few bigger ones.

I'd think the theory is if you're the guy picking the ball up off the ground and getting it away quickly, a wee guy has less distance to get to ground and less time to get upright into passing position.

Also wee guys are more likely to be lippy little fuckers which is an essential part of being a 9.

Probably also the position you can most get away with being smaller. 9s usually won't be going into contact as first choice, so don't need to be big (yes I know wingers can be small, but they have to be exceptional to get away with it imo - see Darcy & ickle Shane, as 2 examples).

Agree on 9s generally being wee shites though (I played 9, very very badly).

S/Lt_Phillips wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 12:14 pm

Biffer wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 12:06 pm

Yr Alban wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 11:55 am

Interesting point about 9. Is there any actual reason for the 9 to be the shortest player on the team? Or is it just that that’s where smaller kids were told to play?

Just had a quick Google. Joost was 6’1”, Conor Murray 6’2”, and Mike Phillips 6’3”, so there have been a few bigger ones.

I'd think the theory is if you're the guy picking the ball up off the ground and getting it away quickly, a wee guy has less distance to get to ground and less time to get upright into passing position.

Also wee guys are more likely to be lippy little fuckers which is an essential part of being a 9.

Probably also the position you can most get away with being smaller. 9s usually won't be going into contact as first choice, so don't need to be big (yes I know wingers can be small, but they have to be exceptional to get away with it imo - see Darcy & ickle Shane, as 2 examples).

Agree on 9s generally being wee shites though (I played 9, very very badly).

I feel I have to observe that Darcy isn’t even small. He’s 5’9”, which is dead on UK male average height (same height I am). He just looks tiny because of the monsters he tends to be surrounded by in pro rugby these days.

Yr Alban wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 12:27 pm

S/Lt_Phillips wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 12:14 pm

Biffer wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 12:06 pm

I'd think the theory is if you're the guy picking the ball up off the ground and getting it away quickly, a wee guy has less distance to get to ground and less time to get upright into passing position.

Also wee guys are more likely to be lippy little fuckers which is an essential part of being a 9.

Probably also the position you can most get away with being smaller. 9s usually won't be going into contact as first choice, so don't need to be big (yes I know wingers can be small, but they have to be exceptional to get away with it imo - see Darcy & ickle Shane, as 2 examples).

Agree on 9s generally being wee shites though (I played 9, very very badly).

I feel I have to observe that Darcy isn’t even small. He’s 5’9”, which is dead on UK male average height (same height I am). He just looks tiny because of the monsters he tends to be surrounded by in pro rugby these days.

He's listed as 5'9". The same way Greig Laidlaw was listed as 5'10".

These are not necessarily true

Biffer wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 12:47 pm

Yr Alban wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 12:27 pm

S/Lt_Phillips wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 12:14 pm

Probably also the position you can most get away with being smaller. 9s usually won't be going into contact as first choice, so don't need to be big (yes I know wingers can be small, but they have to be exceptional to get away with it imo - see Darcy & ickle Shane, as 2 examples).

Agree on 9s generally being wee shites though (I played 9, very very badly).

I feel I have to observe that Darcy isn’t even small. He’s 5’9”, which is dead on UK male average height (same height I am). He just looks tiny because of the monsters he tends to be surrounded by in pro rugby these days.

He's listed as 5'9". The same way Greig Laidlaw was listed as 5'10".

These are not necessarily true

Well, that is true. In the same way that actors have a ‘CV height’.

Yr Alban wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 12:27 pm

S/Lt_Phillips wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 12:14 pm

Biffer wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 12:06 pm

I'd think the theory is if you're the guy picking the ball up off the ground and getting it away quickly, a wee guy has less distance to get to ground and less time to get upright into passing position.

Also wee guys are more likely to be lippy little fuckers which is an essential part of being a 9.

Probably also the position you can most get away with being smaller. 9s usually won't be going into contact as first choice, so don't need to be big (yes I know wingers can be small, but they have to be exceptional to get away with it imo - see Darcy & ickle Shane, as 2 examples).

Agree on 9s generally being wee shites though (I played 9, very very badly).

I feel I have to observe that Darcy isn’t even small. He’s 5’9”, which is dead on UK male average height (same height I am). He just looks tiny because of the monsters he tends to be surrounded by in pro rugby these days.

It's a bit ickle. Sorry.

Slick wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 2:03 pm

Yr Alban wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 12:27 pm

S/Lt_Phillips wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 12:14 pm

Probably also the position you can most get away with being smaller. 9s usually won't be going into contact as first choice, so don't need to be big (yes I know wingers can be small, but they have to be exceptional to get away with it imo - see Darcy & ickle Shane, as 2 examples).

Agree on 9s generally being wee shites though (I played 9, very very badly).

I feel I have to observe that Darcy isn’t even small. He’s 5’9”, which is dead on UK male average height (same height I am). He just looks tiny because of the monsters he tends to be surrounded by in pro rugby these days.

It's a bit ickle. Sorry.

In pro rugby, sure. In actual real life, not so much (though when your peer group is largely middle class doctors who were overfed as children, it can seem that way at times)

Glicho and Duhan miss out


Saturday 31 May (kick-off 12.30pm BST/ 1.30pm local) – live on Premier Sports

Edinburgh Rugby team to face Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in the BKT United Rugby Championship Quarter-Final

15.⁠ ⁠Wes Goosen (54)
14.⁠ ⁠Darcy Graham (82)
13.⁠ ⁠Matt Currie (63)
12.⁠ ⁠James Lang (74)
11.⁠ ⁠Harry Paterson (16)
10.⁠ ⁠Ross Thompson (25)
9.⁠ ⁠Ali Price (40)

1.⁠ ⁠Pierre Schoeman (133)
2.⁠ ⁠Ewan Ashman (37)
3.⁠ ⁠D’arcy Rae (26)
4.⁠ ⁠Marshall Sykes (83)
5.⁠ ⁠Sam Skinner (43)
6.⁠ ⁠Jamie Ritchie (129)
7.⁠ ⁠Hamish Watson (178)
8.⁠ ⁠Magnus Bradbury (133) CAPTAIN

Replacements
16.⁠ ⁠Paddy Harrison (32)
17.⁠ ⁠Boan Venter (90)
18.⁠ ⁠Javan Sebastian (29)
19.⁠ ⁠Liam McConnell (3)
20.⁠ Ben Muncaster (47)
21.⁠ ⁠Conor McAlpine (1)
22.⁠ ⁠Ben Healy (38)
23.⁠ ⁠Mark Bennett (111)

Unavailable: Emiliano Boffelli (hamstring), Connor Boyle (knee), Robert Carmichael (wrist), Dave Cherry (knee), Luke Crosbie (pec), Grant Gilchrist (hamstring), Jamie Hodgson (tricep), Paul Hill (back), Duhan van der Merwe (ankle), Matt Scott (neck), Charlie Shiel (kidney), Mosese Tuipulotu (knee), Ben Vellacott (foot), Glen Young (personal).

Everitt added: “Duhan [van der Merwe] has been back training with us here in Pretoria this week, and he’s feeling good. However, he’s probably still a few days away from being ready to return to full match action. We’re managing his return carefully to ensure he’s fully prepared when he does step back onto the field.”

Some nice stuff from Glasgow but that try was school boys stuff to lose.

Decisive to get Walker off. Assume it's not injury related.

Edit: injured again.

This is very frustrating, can’t help but feel Glasgow should be way ahead against this lot

Big D wrote: Fri May 30, 2025 7:15 pm Decisive to get Walker off. Assume it's not injury related.

Edit: injured again.

He was getting pinged at every scrum.

Thought Glasgow were very good. Need to step it up yet again against Leinster.

dkm57 wrote: Sat May 31, 2025 6:58 am Thought Glasgow were very good. Need to step it up yet again against Leinster.

I’m not going to hope for a result playing Leinster away.

Hope, yes, expect, nah

I remember Disco saying that Glasgow have never beaten Leinster in a knock out game. The fact that it will be in Dublin makes it even more difficult. However, Northampton showed that it's not impossible.

No disrespect to Scarlets, but I just can't see them winning today.

That should be red but I doubt it will be.

KingBlairhorn wrote: Sat May 31, 2025 11:37 am That should be red but I doubt it will be.

Slow down looks like a red at full speed looks.like an accident.

I like neeps wrote: Sat May 31, 2025 11:39 am

KingBlairhorn wrote: Sat May 31, 2025 11:37 am That should be red but I doubt it will be.

Slow down looks like a red at full speed looks.like an accident.

Yeah, as much as may want, it would be a bit of travesty if that was a red. He got something a little wrong, not malicious

When did we learn how to score with a man advantage?

Graham back on after being visibly KO'd?

Why give a penalty there, surely a warning was the way to go?

Bloody love Jamie Ritchie

Wasn’t able to watch the Embra game live. Looks like they gave it a proper go in what is always going to be a tough place to play. Which is about what I expected. They have show definite signs of improvement in the last half dozen games anyway.

Scottish Rugby account on FB claiming there will be a ‘big announcement’ later today. How underwhelming do we expect this to be?

(Also bumping the thread so it doesn’t fall off page 1)

Yr Alban wrote: Wed Jun 04, 2025 1:05 pm Scottish Rugby account on FB claiming there will be a ‘big announcement’ later today. How underwhelming do we expect this to be?

(Also bumping the thread so it doesn’t fall off page 1)

Moving the women's six nation games into Murrayfield.

If Wee Darcy had a full season without injury I hate to think what his stats would be, as it is these are his for the last season. Needless to say he was top for Edinburgh, apart from one

8 tries scored (1st)
990 metres made (1st)
28 linebreaks (1st)
79 defenders beaten (1st)
21 turnovers won (2nd)