Rugby Returns!
URC finally launches and Scotland Women live to fight another day
WELCOME BACK: well here we are, rugby is finally back, with the much awaited unveiling of the United Rugby Championship, Womens’ action aplenty, the Autumn Internationals on the horizon, and Super 6 and the Scottish club game already in full swing. Taking you through the action is the return of the Thistle newsletter, on the back of podcast season number five: don’t say we’re not good to you. This week we look back on contrasting fortunes for the pro sides, celebrate a cracking result for the woman’s side, and review the best of the action from Super 6, plus keep you up to date with the most recent Scots Abroad action.
NEW SPONSOR - CITIZEN TICKET: the Thistle is delighted to kick off the 2021/2022 season with a brand new sponsor, Citizen Ticket.
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Scottish rugby fans may well have come across the Citizen Ticket guys as they currently provide the ticketing for the FOSROC Super 6 league and Edinburgh City 7’s so you may already know how good their software is..!
If you are a planning an event, use the THISTLE POD code when you create your account for a reduced in-booking fee.
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GLASGOW ON THE DARGE: Glasgow Warriors suffered a disappointing 35-29 defeat to Ulster at Ravenhill, in a match they could and perhaps should have won. Despite the result, Danny Wilson’s charges showed plenty in patches to suggest they could be a handful for most this season, and two bonus points on the road should not be sniffed at. The Warriors recovered from an inauspicious start, after Cole Forbes was yellow carded and a penalty try awarded to the Ulstermen, with George Horne crossing in the corner on the back of a thunderous run from the impressive Sione Tuipulotu. Jonny Matthews and Jamie Dobie added further scores to set up a grand stand finish, yet despite consistent Glasgow pressure they were unable to land the killer blow. There were encouraging signs from all four debutants, while the Warriors tyros McLean, Thompson, Dobie and particularly Rory Darge, carried over their good form from last year.
Darge was awarded MoM for this impressive stat line. Edinburgh fans will be wondering why he was never given a sniff by Cockers.
Next week, the Sharks at Scotstoun - a must win.
DAM GOOD START: Edinburgh kicked off their season in perfect fashion, christening their new home DAM Health Stadium (still doesn’t quite flow off the tongue does it?) with a bonus point victory against the Scarlets. Darcy Graham’s brace, added to scores from Mark Bennett and Blair Kinghorn, was enough to put away a stuffy opposition who were in it until the final whistle. The talk before the match was how new Edinburgh coach Mike Blair would approach his first competitive fixture, with fans hoping to see a more expansive game than they have been used to in recent seasons. With the electric Ben Vellacott standing out at nine and Blair Kinghorn looking dangerous in the unfamiliar position of standoff, the new Edinburgh certainly won’t die wondering. In truth the performance was rusty and defences were leaky on both sides, but all involved would have taken five league points at the start of the day. It was particularly pleasing to see Graham and Bennett looking back to their dangerous best, Vellacott is a ball of energy, and there is a certain Hamish Watson waiting to return to action.
Benetton away next week: Edinburgh should be confident of making it two on the bounce.
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LAW IN ORDER: The world cup dream lives on for Scotland’s women after they beat Ireland with the last kick of the ball to make it to the repechage tournament. After a nip and tuck first half ended 8-5 to the Scots, they extended their lead early in the second half through Lana Skeldon. However, a brace of penalties and a converted score from Ireland left Scotland trailing 18-13 and facing the prospect of missing the tournament completely. However, full back Chole Rollie found a way over the line setting up a last kick of the game kick from Sarah Law. And, well, you know the rest…
TOUCAN DO IT: The Repechage tournament will see Scotland face Samoa, Columbia and an Asian qualifier (likely Hong Kong) for a tilt at the big tournament. While of course we are 100% behind our gals, after a quick Google of the Columbian team, it is fair to say we are rooting for them to put in a good showing as well. Name a more iconic sports badge…we’ll wait.
SUPERB 6: The Super 6 continues to enjoy a joyous year, with round 8 throwing out a modest 195 points across its three matches. With two rounds to go before thee Playoffs, it is the Southern Knights we sit atop the division, closely followed by the Bulls. The leaders meet on Friday night at Millbrae in what promises to be a belter. You can watch the round 8 highlights here.
THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT: One thing that the Super 6 seems to be doing much better this time around is providing quality game time for fringe players at the pro sides. Edinburgh athletics star/winger Freddy Owsley scored for the Southern Knights (check his jets here) while Glasgow had 8 squad players out playing for various sides. Stand out performances from Finlay Callaghan and Euan Cunningham summed up below. After much derision (including from these pages) is the Super6 fulfilling its purpose?
YOU CAN KEEP HIM: Meanwhile, this happened to poor Finlay Christie at the weekend. Maybe we should be happy with our scrum half lot:
BIGGY BIGGY BIGGY: Avid viewers of Edinburgh social media channels (who isn’t) will have spotted the club has given its players the choice of their own try music. While at Thistle HQ there a plenty of songs we didn’t recognise (although given Darcy’s form we should all probably learn who Custom are), the choice of Sam Grahamslaw peaked our interest. If Sam repeats his try scoring exploits for Watsonians this weekend at the DAM HEALTH Stadium this season, the well heeled of Murrayfield may be shocked by the content of “Hypnotise” by Biggy Smalls. Fun for all the family…Dam!
SCOTS ABROAD:
Gloucester v Leicester: Andrew Davidson (5) and Adam Hastings (23) v Matt Scott (13)
Exeter v Northampton: Sam Hidalgo Clyne (21) v Fraser Dingwall (12)
Harlequins v Worcester: Scott Steele (21) and Huw Jones (22) v Jack Owlett (18)
Wasps v Bristol: Robin Hislop (1) v
Bath v Newcastle: Josh Bayliss (8) and Darcy Rae (18) v Gary Graham (20)
London Irish v Sale: Alan Dell (17) v Byron Mcguigan (14), Ewan Ashman (20) and Warr (21)
PLUGGING: You can subscribe to the podcast here: https://play.acast.com/s/thethistle. Make sure to check out the opening episode of Season 5!
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