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Jan 17, 2022

WELCOME: it was clearly tempting fate last week when we remarked on how well things were going for the Scottish pro sides, so come Saturday evening, reflecting on defeats for both Edinburgh and Glasgow in Europe there was not much left to say other than, ‘Well we asked for that”. Although both results were disappointing for different reasons, we all know that following Scottish rugby can be a bumpy ride, so we have to take the rough with the smooth. And at least Glasgow’s shellacking at the hands of Exeter allowed for some good gallows humour on our social media pages. Read on for reports and reaction from the weekend’s European action, our look ahead to Gregor Townsend’s Six Nations squad announcement this week, and plenty more.

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WELL, THAT ESCALATED QUICKLY: your correspondent turned away from the Glasgow v Exeter match with the visitors in the lead courtesy of a well-worked Matt Fagerson try, Rory Darge bossing the breakdown and things looking nicely placed for a potentially historic victory. A final score of 52-17 in favour of the Chiefs would have been unthinkable at that point, but that is indeed how things stood at the final whistle. Glasgow battled and scrapped well for the first 50 minutes of the game, their ferocity at the breakdown and harrying in defence making up for a slight lack of accuracy in their play. The Fagerson try came from their first real attack in the match, and showed Glasgow in their best light with the ball in hand.

Thistle Scottish Rugby Podcast @thistlerugbypod

Glasgow at 50 Glasgow at 80 minutes minutes

While captain on the day Ali Price was measured post-match, his side’s collapse is concerning, particularly given this isn’t the first time this has happened under Danny Wilson (see Benetton travesty and again versus the Chiefs last year). Once again Wilson was able to select his absolute strongest squad, and his planned subs strategy (Darge was removed for “game management” rather than injury) continues to frustrate. Conceding 38 points in 35 minutes of rugby suggests there may be deeper issues down Scotstoun way.

Thistle Scottish Rugby Podcast @thistlerugbypod

“38 points in 35 minutes”

Mark Palmer @MarkPalmerST

Front page of @SundayTimesScot where Danny Wilson reflects on the "bombshell" of yesterday's thrashing at Sandy Park. Admits that Glasgow "collapsed and fell apart". https://t.co/hdNBwNCOPH

Glasgow can still technically qualify for the knockout rounds of the Champions Cup, and La Rochelle at Scotstoun next week provides an immediate chance to make amends, but they have made life difficult for themselves.

Highlights of the match below (would consider stopping watching at about the 3 minute mark):

LUCK OF THE IRISH: a full strength Edinburgh side were unable to overcome 14-man London Irish at the Brentford Community Stadium, the home side crossing late in the contest to take the game 21-20. It was all looking so positive for the visitors, tries from Adam McBurney and Ramiro Moyano taking them into the lead before Augustin Creevey was red carded for a headbutt on Jamie Ritchie (the bizarre circumstances behind his dismissal are worth watching, as Creevy’s pleading for the referee to look at the TMO was ultimately his undoing). However, sometimes a red card can galvanise a side, and teams these days have contingency plans for playing with a man down. Mike Blair put the loss down to his side’s inexperience, but there were club centurions (Gilchrist, Ritchie, Kinghorn and Nel) and internationals throughout the team. Sure there will be lots of “learnings” discussed at team meetings this week.

Highlights below:

RETURN OF THE KING: just in time for the Six Nations, Calcutta Cup specialist Cam Redpath made his long awaited return from injury at the weekend, running out in the ten shirt for Bath against La Rochelle after a whole 214 days on the physio table. By all accounts he put in a pretty good shift in difficult conditions, and we wouldn’t be at all surprised to see him lining up in the 12 shirt come February 5th. How good?

Thistle Scottish Rugby Podcast @thistlerugbypod

Things you love to see 😍😍 https://t.co/8RqI19Khss

Bath Rugby @BathRugby

After 214 days out... 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 👊 #WeAreBath | @camredpath https://t.co/JqOwaMJcj5

TOONIE TOMBOLA: Gregor Townsend names his Scotland squad for the Six Nations on Wednesday this week. Past squad announcements would suggest a combination of some new blood, with the likes of Rory Darge, Ben Vellacott and Kyle Rowe waiting in the wings, and a return for more seasoned campaigners like Mark Bennett, WP Nel and Magnus Bradbury, all of whom have been in good form this season.

And of course there is likely to be a typical Toonie tombola pick, i.e. the selection that makes you ask, “Are they actually Scots-qualified” or has us furiously Googling their name. Perhaps Andy Christie of Saracens - who has turned out for Scottish age group sides in the past - and has been quietly impressing in the English Premiership this year.

Thistle Scottish Rugby Podcast @thistlerugbypod

Toony naming the @Scotlandteam squad for @SixNationsRugby on Wednesday! Who do you want to see in there?

GEORGE TAYLOR RETIREMENT: there was some sad news in the Scottish rugby world last week, with the news that Edinburgh centre George Taylor has retired from the game at just 25, citing a “history of head injuries”. The former Melrose man has not featured yet this season due to these injuries, and we cannot imagine how difficult a decision this was to make. It is yet another reminder of the concussion issues currently facing the sport. He had showed plenty of promise in his 38 appearances for Edinburgh, and was a Richard Cockerill favourite, often edging out more experienced rivals for the 12 and 13 jerseys. He now moves onto a career in finance, and we wish him the best of luck in his new venture.