1872 Cup Champions

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Shame Toolis is going, I think Edinburgh have done a reasonable job developing twin 1 and twin 2. Wouldn't surprise me if he continues to improve at the Rebels (if that is where he is going). It will be the 1st time (I think) the twins will be playing at different clubs so far apart (the loan at Glasgow doesn't count) so hopefully it doesn't impact Ben at all. Twins are funny things.

Fife going isn't necessarily a problem, but Edinburgh need more back 3 cover. Although liked by some Ulster fans I am not overly convinced Scholes will be a) a massive success, b) here for much longer than 2 years if he is and c) if he is that good Ulster wouldn't have let him go.

I am assuming Howarth and Robbins will start to see game time next season but think 1 more will probably be needed as I think Hoyland should be knocking on the door of international selection.

Re Scholes. What do you mean by "that good"? Is he currently better than Trimble or Bowe? No, but then I'm not sure I'd take any wings in the British Isles ahead of them. Then you've got Piutau arriving who can play at wing as well and various other full backs knocking about. He's probably in a similar place to Tommy Seymour when he moved. He's worthy of a first team place, just not with us. As for being around for more than 2 years, given where Edinburgh are, I wouldn't worry about that too much at the moment. If he goes well and Edinburgh are going well then he may well want to stay. if not, you probably wouldn't want to keep him.

You are probably guilty of thinking Ulster players are a lot better than they actually are...

[Big D]

Shame Toolis is going, I think Edinburgh have done a reasonable job developing twin 1 and twin 2. Wouldn't surprise me if he continues to improve at the Rebels (if that is where he is going). It will be the 1st time (I think) the twins will be playing at different clubs so far apart (the loan at Glasgow doesn't count) so hopefully it doesn't impact Ben at all. Twins are funny things.

Fife going isn't necessarily a problem, but Edinburgh need more back 3 cover. Although liked by some Ulster fans I am not overly convinced Scholes will be a) a massive success, b) here for much longer than 2 years if he is and c) if he is that good Ulster wouldn't have let him go.

I am assuming Howarth and Robbins will start to see game time next season but think 1 more will probably be needed as I think Hoyland should be knocking on the door of international selection.

Re Scholes. What do you mean by "that good"? Is he currently better than Trimble or Bowe? No, but then I'm not sure I'd take any wings in the British Isles ahead of them. Then you've got Piutau arriving who can play at wing as well and various other full backs knocking about. He's probably in a similar place to Tommy Seymour when he moved. He's worthy of a first team place, just not with us. As for being around for more than 2 years, given where Edinburgh are, I wouldn't worry about that too much at the moment. If he goes well and Edinburgh are going well then he may well want to stay. if not, you probably wouldn't want to keep him.

I mean as "that good" as in worth keeping even if there are 3 international wingers ahead of him and Piatau can play wing. It's nor just about next season. Bowe is 32 and coming off his second serious knee injury in 3/4 years.

My main pessimism about whether Scholes (or Rasolea) will be a success has a lot to do with AS and his track record of NSQ backs for Edinburgh. in fact scratch that, it's pretty much back signings full stop in the last few years.

[Cameo]

Shame Toolis is going, I think Edinburgh have done a reasonable job developing twin 1 and twin 2. Wouldn't surprise me if he continues to improve at the Rebels (if that is where he is going). It will be the 1st time (I think) the twins will be playing at different clubs so far apart (the loan at Glasgow doesn't count) so hopefully it doesn't impact Ben at all. Twins are funny things.

Fife going isn't necessarily a problem, but Edinburgh need more back 3 cover. Although liked by some Ulster fans I am not overly convinced Scholes will be a) a massive success, b) here for much longer than 2 years if he is and c) if he is that good Ulster wouldn't have let him go.

I am assuming Howarth and Robbins will start to see game time next season but think 1 more will probably be needed as I think Hoyland should be knocking on the door of international selection.

Re Scholes. What do you mean by "that good"? Is he currently better than Trimble or Bowe? No, but then I'm not sure I'd take any wings in the British Isles ahead of them. Then you've got Piutau arriving who can play at wing as well and various other full backs knocking about. He's probably in a similar place to Tommy Seymour when he moved. He's worthy of a first team place, just not with us. As for being around for more than 2 years, given where Edinburgh are, I wouldn't worry about that too much at the moment. If he goes well and Edinburgh are going well then he may well want to stay. if not, you probably wouldn't want to keep him.

I mean as "that good" as in worth keeping even if there are 3 international wingers ahead of him and Piatau can play wing. It's nor just about next season. Bowe is 32 and coming off his second serious knee injury in 3/4 years.

My main pessimism about whether Scholes (or Rasolea) will be a success has a lot to do with AS and his track record of NSQ backs for Edinburgh. in fact scratch that, it's pretty much back signings full stop in the last few years.

I see your point but sometimes players just get to a stage when they want/need to move somewhere where they will start straight away or have a fresh experience

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Shame Toolis is going, I think Edinburgh have done a reasonable job developing twin 1 and twin 2. Wouldn't surprise me if he continues to improve at the Rebels (if that is where he is going). It will be the 1st time (I think) the twins will be playing at different clubs so far apart (the loan at Glasgow doesn't count) so hopefully it doesn't impact Ben at all. Twins are funny things.

Fife going isn't necessarily a problem, but Edinburgh need more back 3 cover. Although liked by some Ulster fans I am not overly convinced Scholes will be a) a massive success, b) here for much longer than 2 years if he is and c) if he is that good Ulster wouldn't have let him go.

I am assuming Howarth and Robbins will start to see game time next season but think 1 more will probably be needed as I think Hoyland should be knocking on the door of international selection.

Re Scholes. What do you mean by "that good"? Is he currently better than Trimble or Bowe? No, but then I'm not sure I'd take any wings in the British Isles ahead of them. Then you've got Piutau arriving who can play at wing as well and various other full backs knocking about. He's probably in a similar place to Tommy Seymour when he moved. He's worthy of a first team place, just not with us. As for being around for more than 2 years, given where Edinburgh are, I wouldn't worry about that too much at the moment. If he goes well and Edinburgh are going well then he may well want to stay. if not, you probably wouldn't want to keep him.

I mean as "that good" as in worth keeping even if there are 3 international wingers ahead of him and Piatau can play wing. It's nor just about next season. Bowe is 32 and coming off his second serious knee injury in 3/4 years.

My main pessimism about whether Scholes (or Rasolea) will be a success has a lot to do with AS and his track record of NSQ backs for Edinburgh. in fact scratch that, it's pretty much back signings full stop in the last few years.

You can't keep everyone and frankly I'd be a little concerned if a player was content sitting that far down the pecking order for long.

[OptimisticJock]

What's the criteria for Embra finishing above Munster if they're both on 58?

[Croft_No.5]

On the Munster issue, not sure. Before they played last time and on Equal points, Edinburgh were above Munster in the table. May not be the case now but it will either be the net result between the teams or points difference initially. Team for Saturday


Nasi Manu to start


•Ross Ford to captain side


•Andries Strauss reaches 50th appearance




As Edinburgh Rugby mount a final round assault against Cardiff tomorrow (BT Murrayfield, kick-off 3pm) for a top-six finish in this year’s Guinness PRO12 there are four changes to the starting XV following last week’s tough encounter against Munster in Cork.

In one change to the backs, Dougie Fife moves up from the bench to start at fullback in place of teenager Blair Kinghorn who sustained a knock in last Friday’s defeat.

Damien Hoyland and Tom Brown – now fully recovered from the stomach bug that necessitated his substitution last time out – retain their places on the wings with Matt Scott and Andries Strauss continuing their centre partnership. The latter will be running out for his 50th Edinburgh Rugby cap since joining the club in 2013.

Stand-off Jason Tovey, who scored 16 of the club’s 19 points last time out, and scrum half Sean Kennedy maintain their half-back pairing.

The pack sees three changes, kicking off with Rory Sutherland moving up from the bench to replace the injured Alasdair Dickinson in the front row, where Ross Ford and WP Nel retain the number 2 and 3 jerseys.

The lock combination of Anton Bresler and Ben Toolis is retained while Nasi Manu returns from injury at blindside and Hamish Watson comes in at openside. Cornell Du Preez retains his place at no 8.

It’s as you were on the bench, with the exception of Allan Dell and Will Helu moving into contention, to replace the starting Fife and Sutherland.


Reflecting on his time with the club, 50th cap Strauss says: “It’s been a huge honour and privilege to play for Edinburgh Rugby over the last couple of years and to play my 50th game in what would be my last is extremely special and certainly something I'll remember for a long time.

“I'm grateful for every second I was allowed on the field and will cherish the memories I made with the team.


“This weekend is a vital game for us and one that could determine the success of our entire season.

“Cardiff have been playing some good rugby lately and they have improved as the season progressed. It will take a massive team effort from us to get the right result on the weekend.

“They are a very good attacking side and will test our resolve and willingness to work hard for each other, therefore it’s absolutely crucial that we stick to our systems.”

Edinburgh currently sit in seventh place in the Guinness PRO12, one point above Cardiff and one point below Munster.

Edinburgh (53 pts 11 wins) and Ospreys (54 points and 11 wins) can both equal the total Munster have at present (58) should Munster not pick up any points in their final game.

Edinburgh require a maximum points win (58 points and 12 wins) this afternoon, regardless of any ensuing possible permutations regarding points’ difference, to see whether we could end the season in the top six.

The match will be shown live on BBC 2 Wales. All today’s Guinness PRO12 matches kick off at 3pm. Tickets available online.

Players not considered due to injury: Michael Allen (shoulder),Phil Burleigh (leg),Mike Coman (calf), Jack Cuthbert (knee), Alasdair Dickinson (back), Grant Gilchrist (arm), Blair Kinghorn (head), Fraser McKenzie (neck), Jade Te Rure (knee).



Edinburgh Rugby team v Cardiff Blues, BT Murrayfield, Saturday 7 May, k/o 3pm

15 FIFE Dougie

14 HOYLAND Damien

13 SCOTT Matt

12 STRAUSS Andries

11 BROWN Tom

10 TOVEY Jason

9 KENNEDY Sean



1 SUTHERLAND Rory

2 FORD Ross (captain)

3 NEL WP

4 BRESLER Anton

5 TOOLIS Ben

6 MANU Nasi

7 WATSON Hamish

8 DU PREEZ Cornell



Substitutes

16 MCINALLY Stuart

17 DELL Allan

18 ANDRESS John

19 TOOLIS Alex

20 BRADBURY Magnus

21 HIDALGO-CLYNE Sam

22 DEAN Chris

23 HELU Will

[OptimisticJock]

Don't think I can handle 2 games at once again.

[OptimisticJock]

Who am I kidding?

[OptimisticJock]

Watson in and ospreys beating ulster. So far so good.

[OptimisticJock]

Ulster need to win but they're now drawing

Scott over now too. 12 0 up.

[Edinburgh in Exile]

Embra going alright, 17 - 7 to the good guys. Look a bit ropey out wide in defence.

[OptimisticJock]

Watson and Hoyland linking well at times.

Ulster winning now. Scarlets losing.

[OptimisticJock]

Good defending brown and scott

[OptimisticJock]

Bottles crashing all over the place

[OptimisticJock]

Never turned up in 2nd half. Looks like a 9th place finish, down 1 from last season. Get Solomons tae fuck.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Never turned up in 2nd half. Looks like a 9th place finish, down 1 from last season. Get Solomons tae fuck.

They gave him a new deal recently, he's not getting sacked.

[switchskier]

So is this worth watching or is it a depressing end to a depressing season?

[OptimisticJock]

Never turned up in 2nd half. Looks like a 9th place finish, down 1 from last season. Get Solomons tae fuck.

They gave him a new deal recently, he's not getting sacked.

I know. That doesn't stop me wanting him to go though.

[OptimisticJock]

So is this worth watching or is it a depressing end to a depressing season?

Don't bother.

[Big D]

Mentioned on Embra board that it is looking like Edinburgh will move to Myreside after the Weeg game next season.

[Chunks Baws]

Mentioned on Embra board that it is looking like Edinburgh will move to Myreside after the Weeg game next season.

Yeah, it will be a permanent move if deemed successful. Judging by the reaction on Twitter, it's failed already.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Mentioned on Embra board that it is looking like Edinburgh will move to Myreside after the Weeg game next season.

Yeah, it will be a permanent move if deemed successful. Judging by the reaction on Twitter, it's failed already.

From whom? Fans?

This is exactly what edinburgh need although I'm not sure how easy it is to get there so perhaps that is the cause of some opposition.

[Chunks Baws]

Mentioned on Embra board that it is looking like Edinburgh will move to Myreside after the Weeg game next season.

Yeah, it will be a permanent move if deemed successful. Judging by the reaction on Twitter, it's failed already.

From whom? Fans?

This is exactly what edinburgh need although I'm not sure how easy it is to get there so perhaps that is the cause of some opposition.

Yeah, fans. Many seem to think the stadium isn't an issue. Even if Edinburgh were doing as well as Glasgow and attracting much bigger crowds Murrayfield is still too big and does nothing for the atmosphere.

[OptimisticJock]

It's certainly not the issue as to why they're shite as a team but plays a part as to why they're not a club in the same sense the weegies are.

[Cameo]

The stadium is an issue but I'm just not sure Myreside is big enough. Itl be nice to have a full stadium but unless they are building extra seating theyl be turning people away as soon as they are semi successful.