Re: The Official Scottish Rugby Thread
Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2018 3:26 pm
An excellent 10 minutes so far if a bit lucky with the 1st try.
Not yet but they have Dragons in the last round. BP win there and Edinburgh can't catch them.Doc Rob wrote:Have Scarlets already secured a home SF?
Yes, I think so. 9 points clear of Ulster. They have two games to play rather than one, but now they have to win with a try BP in both games and hope Embra take nothing from the game v Glasgow. If it finishes level on points then Embra win because they are now on 14 wins which Ulster can’t match.zt1903 wrote:So we need what, 1 more point to make playoffs?
Or Ulster to drop at least 1 point (is they have to get 2 BP wins).zt1903 wrote:So we need what, 1 more point to make playoffs?
They are playing Glasgow at home next. Another interesting one - they must be glad Glasgow have qualified already, or a BP win might be a bit of an ask.topofthemoon wrote:Or Ulster to drop at least 1 point (is they have to get 2 BP wins).zt1903 wrote:So we need what, 1 more point to make playoffs?
Just been looking at the permutations. Scarlets are a banker to finish 2nd, certainly (shame as itlikely means a home QF against the Cheetahs).topofthemoon wrote:Not yet but they have Dragons in the last round. BP win there and Edinburgh can't catch them.Doc Rob wrote:Have Scarlets already secured a home SF?
Why isn't it always 10k - they sell out every game.Rossco wrote:Scotstoun getting extended to 10k for the semi.
Athletics kick up a big fuss whenever the stands encroach onto the track.I like haggis wrote:Why isn't it always 10k - they sell out every game.Rossco wrote:Scotstoun getting extended to 10k for the semi.
I had the same thought. And even if Dave Rennie wasn’t inclined to rest players for the playoffs (and why on Earth wouldn’t he with nothing to play for but pride?) then you would suspect the SRU might ‘encourage’ him to.BlackMac wrote:Odd final game. Glasgow nothing to play for, Edinburgh everything. Presumably if Scarlets are allowed to field such a weakened team, no one will say anything if Glasgow do exactly the same.
So on 7th June is Cam Redpath going to play for or against his dad?!?Steamin Beamin wrote:http://www.scottishrugby.org/news/18/04 ... ching-team
Bryan Redpath has been appointed as the U20s head coach.
Against you'd think. If this was an SRU move purely to get Cam Redpath to commit to Scotland under 20s this year rather than the best coach to focus on the improvement of the squad it's a real concern.topofthemoon wrote:So on 7th June is Cam Redpath going to play for or against his dad?!?Steamin Beamin wrote:http://www.scottishrugby.org/news/18/04 ... ching-team
Bryan Redpath has been appointed as the U20s head coach.
Much as the SRU don't impress me a lot of the time, I really don't think they would appoint a U20 coach just to try to tie up one player. They haven't made any public show of trying to get Graham or Vellacott back, just as they didn't try particularly hard to prevent Tommy Allan playing for Italy.I like haggis wrote:Against you'd think. If this was an SRU move purely to get Cam Redpath to commit to Scotland under 20s this year rather than the best coach to focus on the improvement of the squad it's a real concern.topofthemoon wrote:So on 7th June is Cam Redpath going to play for or against his dad?!?Steamin Beamin wrote:http://www.scottishrugby.org/news/18/04 ... ching-team
Bryan Redpath has been appointed as the U20s head coach.
I doubt this will make any difference to his decision. I still hold out hope that he has hitched his wagon to England out of necessity more than anything else. Hopefully he will reverse that decision once he has established himself down south.Doc Rob wrote:Much as the SRU don't impress me a lot of the time, I really don't think they would appoint a U20 coach just to try to tie up one player. They haven't made any public show of trying to get Graham or Vellacott back, just as they didn't try particularly hard to prevent Tommy Allan playing for Italy.I like haggis wrote:Against you'd think. If this was an SRU move purely to get Cam Redpath to commit to Scotland under 20s this year rather than the best coach to focus on the improvement of the squad it's a real concern.topofthemoon wrote:So on 7th June is Cam Redpath going to play for or against his dad?!?Steamin Beamin wrote:http://www.scottishrugby.org/news/18/04 ... ching-team
Bryan Redpath has been appointed as the U20s head coach.
Plus I don't see Cam deserting his current team-mates to play for our U20 side. If it were the full side, that might be different.
If you look at NZ and coaches like Rennie, Boyd and Robertson before joining a team and winning Super Rugby they were under 20 coaches. NZ are the best at developing coaches so I think it make sense to copy what they're doing.Lorthern Nights wrote:I actually think it is an astute appointment bringing Redpath into the U20's, he has a load of experience which is just what the youngsters need and i don't think the U20's should be for young aspiring coaches to prove themselves. We need an old head that has been around the block to help the youngsters that are breaking through, put to many inexperienced people around the set-up it has every chance to be a shambles.
As for Redpath the younger, he is still young enough and there are plenty of players that show loads of promise but cant cut it later on. Next year will be an interesting one for young Hastings as it really is now for his chance to step-up, i'm not overly fussed about Tommy Allan as he only seems to turn it on against us he is very meh the rest of the time. A step up from Weir, i'm not so sure but we do need to see more competition at 10 as Finn as we all know is the sublime to the ridiculous.
Makes sense. Also lets the coaches get to know the best young players who then go on to sign with the franchises/pro clubs after earning their u20 wings.I like haggis wrote:If you look at NZ and coaches like Rennie, Boyd and Robertson before joining a team and winning Super Rugby they were under 20 coaches. NZ are the best at developing coaches so I think it make sense to copy what they're doing.Lorthern Nights wrote:I actually think it is an astute appointment bringing Redpath into the U20's, he has a load of experience which is just what the youngsters need and i don't think the U20's should be for young aspiring coaches to prove themselves. We need an old head that has been around the block to help the youngsters that are breaking through, put to many inexperienced people around the set-up it has every chance to be a shambles.
As for Redpath the younger, he is still young enough and there are plenty of players that show loads of promise but cant cut it later on. Next year will be an interesting one for young Hastings as it really is now for his chance to step-up, i'm not overly fussed about Tommy Allan as he only seems to turn it on against us he is very meh the rest of the time. A step up from Weir, i'm not so sure but we do need to see more competition at 10 as Finn as we all know is the sublime to the ridiculous.
Especially when there's so few top positions for coaches and currently most aren't filled by Scots. I am encouraged by the coaching clueprint but we need to ensure we have opportunities for our most promising coaches so we don't lose them.
Hastings is only 21 - there's plenty time. I'd like to see him in there over Horne because he's actually a 10 but can't get too concerned yet.
I’ll continue to hope he changes his mind until the day he first plays for the full England side. We can’t afford to lose eligible talent. I’d also love to steal Redpath from England U20s given that they are stealing Graham and Vellacott from ours.Alba wrote:I doubt this will make any difference to his decision. I still hold out hope that he has hitched his wagon to England out of necessity more than anything else. Hopefully he will reverse that decision once he has established himself down south.Doc Rob wrote:Much as the SRU don't impress me a lot of the time, I really don't think they would appoint a U20 coach just to try to tie up one player. They haven't made any public show of trying to get Graham or Vellacott back, just as they didn't try particularly hard to prevent Tommy Allan playing for Italy.I like haggis wrote:Against you'd think. If this was an SRU move purely to get Cam Redpath to commit to Scotland under 20s this year rather than the best coach to focus on the improvement of the squad it's a real concern.topofthemoon wrote:So on 7th June is Cam Redpath going to play for or against his dad?!?Steamin Beamin wrote:http://www.scottishrugby.org/news/18/04 ... ching-team
Bryan Redpath has been appointed as the U20s head coach.
Plus I don't see Cam deserting his current team-mates to play for our U20 side. If it were the full side, that might be different.
I still think it’s worth the SRU trying to temp him and others north if they look the real deal. Plenty said there was no way Hastings would come, and he did, so the same may be true of the others. A pro contract and regular playing time at least has the potential to turn heads.
Yeah Ben Cairns is a good shout. Nikki Walker as backs coach is okay but what's going to happen with him in the future? He left Hawick where he did an okay job and what next? Is he being developed to take over for Hodge or O'Halloran? Doesn't seem like it.dargotronV.1 wrote:Makes sense. Also lets the coaches get to know the best young players who then go on to sign with the franchises/pro clubs after earning their u20 wings.I like haggis wrote:If you look at NZ and coaches like Rennie, Boyd and Robertson before joining a team and winning Super Rugby they were under 20 coaches. NZ are the best at developing coaches so I think it make sense to copy what they're doing.Lorthern Nights wrote:I actually think it is an astute appointment bringing Redpath into the U20's, he has a load of experience which is just what the youngsters need and i don't think the U20's should be for young aspiring coaches to prove themselves. We need an old head that has been around the block to help the youngsters that are breaking through, put to many inexperienced people around the set-up it has every chance to be a shambles.
As for Redpath the younger, he is still young enough and there are plenty of players that show loads of promise but cant cut it later on. Next year will be an interesting one for young Hastings as it really is now for his chance to step-up, i'm not overly fussed about Tommy Allan as he only seems to turn it on against us he is very meh the rest of the time. A step up from Weir, i'm not so sure but we do need to see more competition at 10 as Finn as we all know is the sublime to the ridiculous.
Especially when there's so few top positions for coaches and currently most aren't filled by Scots. I am encouraged by the coaching clueprint but we need to ensure we have opportunities for our most promising coaches so we don't lose them.
Hastings is only 21 - there's plenty time. I'd like to see him in there over Horne because he's actually a 10 but can't get too concerned yet.
Ben Cairns is one mind you who I am surprised hasn't been promoted yet - perhaps a stint at one of the pro teams (looking at you Embra) awaits.
I've been wondering for a while if we'll see Cairns come to Edinburgh in place of Hodge.I like haggis wrote:
Yeah Ben Cairns is a good shout. Nikki Walker as backs coach is okay but what's going to happen with him in the future? He left Hawick where he did an okay job and what next? Is he being developed to take over for Hodge or O'Halloran? Doesn't seem like it.
Cairns looks to be playing expansive rugby with Currie and seems to be in the coach pathway. Why not involve him?
I don't see the narrative with under 20 coaches and with limited coaching opportunities I think we miss a chance of really developing them.
The ball is hammered high in the air and then the stampede towards him begins. The opposition. His own team. A horde of players all thundering in his direction. Yet Stuart Hogg has been here before. He has visualised it before the game. And now, as the crowd holds its breath as he leaps into the air, he knows the ball is his. And then he is off, breaking his way down the field, setting off yet another attack.
To play at the pace and with the precision with which Hogg is blessed does not come easy, of course. It requires clarity of thought. That treasured ability to remain calm in the midst of chaos.
The Scotland, Glasgow Warriors and Lions full-back has, he admits, had to work at it. In that regard, he is certainly an example to those around him.
Earlier this week, Warriors assistant head coach Jason O'Halloran revealed his concerns that some Scottish players were reluctant to utilise sports psychologists - and that it was having a detrimental effect. Hogg is not among their number.
On Wednesday, Sportsmail was invited along for the ride as the 25-year-old tested out his driving skills in the Land Rover Experience near Dunkeld in Perthshire. As he made his way over the demanding terrain, Hogg recalled those dark days when his fledgling rugby career threatened to go off-road - and how an intervention from Gregor Townsend got him back on track.
It was back in 2014, the year after he first toured with the Lions in Australia, and Hogg was very much considered the up and coming star of Northern Hemisphere rugby. Warriors, under Townsend, were on the rise, too.
As is so often the case, that is when the rug is pulled from underneath you.
To be fair, it was Hogg's own doing as Ulster's pursuit of him became public knowledge after an ill-advised trip by the player to Northern Ireland. Townsend had no option but to drop him and he would miss that season's Pro12 final.
However, there was to be a positive to be taken from it. Enter Steve Black, one of Europe's leading sports psychologists who worked with England World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson.
'You learn from your mistakes,' said Hogg. 'I tried to leave the club a couple of years ago and ended up working with Steve.
'Gregor first mentioned him to me after I did a bit of a daft thing and Steve helped me get things straight in my own mind.
'I was younger and he helped me sort things out. He helps me with the mental side of the game - helps me focus - and he has been fantastic for me ever since.
'He has helped make me a better player. He is the most positive man in the world. It is like talking to a mate as everything is informal but it is important.'
Hogg has been using Black - who worked with Newcastle United under Kevin Keegan - ever since. Given the difference it has made to his career, it's little wonder O'Halloran is an advocate.
'I am a big believer in sports psychology and I believe it has made me a better player and a better person,' continued Hogg. 'Jason is a Kiwi who has worked in New Zealand so when he said we in Scotland are a couple of decades behind them when it comes to sports psychology then he should be listened to as he knows what he is talking about. We have a fair bit of work to do in that department.
'It has certainly helped me and will continue to do so. Steve is only a phone call away for me which is always good to know. When I was on the last Lions tour before I got injured, we talked and he is a great help.
'In the Scotland camp, Gregor brought in Damian Hughes as the sports psychologist who is excellent but I still put in my phone calls to Steve.
'To be honest, I haven't even scratched the surface with this yet. I am excited with what I can still learn. It works for me. Some boys believe in it, others don't. It is up to the individual. I believe it helps me as a player so I am going to stick to it.
'Gregor (Townsend) is into it, too, and hopefully in the future we can get everybody into it because I firmly believe me using Steve Black has helped me a lot.
'I will be talking to him to catch up soon as obviously I wanted to do everything I can to help Glasgow to win the Pro14 title which I believe we can achieve.'
O'Halloran also claimed that some Scottish players struggle to accept criticism from coaches - and, again, Hogg backed him up.
'Early on in my career I would not take it and I would view it as a personal attack,' said the man from Hawick.
'I have grown up a little bit and understand it is just a way to make you better. In rugby, you are never the complete player and you always have stuff to improve on.
'In saying that, I am always one of the boys who will sit down and speak to the coach as much as I can so I can see where I can improve. I sometimes challenge the coaches, as well. If there is an area that I potentially disagree with, I am not going to sit back.
'I will challenge them and hear their point of view. I want to try and get the best out of myself. Using Steve has helped me take positive criticism and work towards getting better.'
Hogg is keen to play for Warriors, ironically against the Ulster club he could have signed for, in Belfast on Saturday and will use Black's techniques the night before to get him into the correct mindset.
'I will put on my headphones and listen to some music Friday night if I am playing and visualise what I want to do in the game the next day,' he said.
'For instance, I will visualise getting up and making catches in the air. Other times it will be making line-breaks or offloads. It is little things, achievable goals, that change week to week, based on who I am playing against.'
As long as he possesses that clarity of thought, one can only visualise great things ahead for the flying full-back.
Forgive my ignorance, but having read a number of articles around the players union and why the SRU should have set one up by now, I am still in the dark as to why it has anything at all to do with the SRU? Surely the whole point of such an organisation is that it is set up by the players, for the players and independent of the governing body?dargotronV.1 wrote:Welcoming the fair bit of press to this issue with psychology, this is a good article from Rob Robertson, clearly it's helped Hogg focus better and his Toonie backed decision to turn his back on a potentially career defining move to the Nordies in hindsight was a sound one. Wonder if a certain young departing fly half would have benefited from similar guidance.
An important issue and pleased it's seeing the light of day. Think a Scottish players union (mooted?) will help players too...
Interesting. You can see a situation where Cockerill wants him there and an attitude of 'is he bollocks going to the u20 wc, we've got a preseason to run'toocoldhere wrote:I've been wondering for a while if we'll see Cairns come to Edinburgh in place of Hodge.I like haggis wrote:
Yeah Ben Cairns is a good shout. Nikki Walker as backs coach is okay but what's going to happen with him in the future? He left Hawick where he did an okay job and what next? Is he being developed to take over for Hodge or O'Halloran? Doesn't seem like it.
Cairns looks to be playing expansive rugby with Currie and seems to be in the coach pathway. Why not involve him?
I don't see the narrative with under 20 coaches and with limited coaching opportunities I think we miss a chance of really developing them.
This would require a host of young men who from a young age have been in a sheltered environment where all they had to do was play rugby according to the coaches' designs, to get together and get organised. There may be a few leaders who could make this happen, but professionalism breeds inertia in anything that's not directly about playing rugby. Maybe some of the oddballs like Bhatti and Huw Jones, who took completely different routes to the top, have it in them to do this.Alba wrote:Forgive my ignorance, but having read a number of articles around the players union and why the SRU should have set one up by now, I am still in the dark as to why it has anything at all to do with the SRU? Surely the whole point of such an organisation is that it is set up by the players, for the players and independent of the governing body?dargotronV.1 wrote:Welcoming the fair bit of press to this issue with psychology, this is a good article from Rob Robertson, clearly it's helped Hogg focus better and his Toonie backed decision to turn his back on a potentially career defining move to the Nordies in hindsight was a sound one. Wonder if a certain young departing fly half would have benefited from similar guidance.
An important issue and pleased it's seeing the light of day. Think a Scottish players union (mooted?) will help players too...
Alba wrote:Forgive my ignorance, but having read a number of articles around the players union and why the SRU should have set one up by now, I am still in the dark as to why it has anything at all to do with the SRU? Surely the whole point of such an organisation is that it is set up by the players, for the players and independent of the governing body?dargotronV.1 wrote:Welcoming the fair bit of press to this issue with psychology, this is a good article from Rob Robertson, clearly it's helped Hogg focus better and his Toonie backed decision to turn his back on a potentially career defining move to the Nordies in hindsight was a sound one. Wonder if a certain young departing fly half would have benefited from similar guidance.
An important issue and pleased it's seeing the light of day. Think a Scottish players union (mooted?) will help players too...