Scottish Rugby: The Big Short
WELCOME BACK: It has been a week filled with market speculators trying to make a quick buck by piling into heavily shorted stocks. That’s right, the Six Nations are upon us and fans are piling money on Scotland’s first triumph at Twickenham since 1983. Will Toony’s men being able to “send it to the moon”? More seasoned viewers of Scotland playing at Twickenham will just be hoping that we manage to hold the line.
TALE OF TWO FIJIANS: Leone Nakawara is leaving Glasgow for Ulster at the end of the season and it is fair to say the news has gone down like a cup of cold sick at Scotstoun, particularly as it followed hot on the heels of Big Nak’s Olympic compatriot Bill Mata re-signing for Edinburgh. Is it a damaging loss? Well, yes, he is on his day a genuinely world class player. However, those days have been few and far between in this second spell at Glasgow and there is a good argument to say that his hefty wage should be spent improving the wider squad. So far he has only played 199 minutes in his second stint - a tally which we imagine would spit out a “cost per minute” stat that would have the SRU accounting team in cold sweats.
PERCEPTION IS REAL: Despite the economics of the matter being in the SRU’s favour, the departure of another Glas-gatico hot on the heels of Finn, Hoggy, Gray and Hastings certainly adds to the perception that Glasgow is a club in decline. While wins v Edinburgh and signs of some quality youth coming through are welcome, Danny Wilson has a job on his hands to persuade quality pros that Scotstoun is a place they can come with a realistic chance of winning the Pro14 and competing in the knock out stages of Europe.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES: The Mail’s Rob Robertson’s twitter feed is an accurate depiction of the emotional journey we have all been on with Naks.
NOT A ONE CLUB ZAN: Another big name Warrior is in the press this weekend eyeing up a move away from Scotstoun. In a wide ranging interview with the Sunday Times covering everything from his faith, being a “scrum nerd” and his hopes to tour with the Lions this summer, the most eye catching paragraph is undoubtedly his admission that he “definitely wont be a one club man.” Stand by your beds Warriors fans, his contract is up at the end of next season.
HORNEY IM HOME: In a boost to the Warriors, however, George Horne has penned a new deal. The electric scrum half who has struggled with injury of late had been linked with Bristol Bears, although the decision of Harry Randall to choose England over Wales put paid to that move. Not long ago Horne was not so much knocking at the door of Ali Price in the Scotland jersey, but battering it down. His return of 31 tries in 60 matches for Glasgow is frankly, insane, and when you chuck in six within 14 caps for Scotland, you can see why he was in demand.
DEPTH CHARGE: Walking Glasgow stats man Kevin Miller has had a look at the likely Glasgow squad depth for next year here. Big area to watch (as we discussed on the pod this week) is whether some of Edinburgh’s riches in the back row head over to prop up Glasgow’s ageing contingent. Surely a move and some more consistent game time for the likes of Bradbury or Crosbie (not to mention messrs. Darge, Miller and Boyle) would be a a win win win for the players, Glasgow and Scotland.
Edinburgh blogger and stat man Burgh Watch has also had a look at the possible leavers from Edinburgh this term. Well worth a read to get the lie of the land. Warning though, the burnt orange background to the blog may give you burnt retinas.
START ME I’M HUTCH: Northampton and occasional Scotland centre - but full time Twitter obsession - Rory Hutchinson gave Scotland selectors a timely reminder of what he can add to the national set up. In a morale boosting win for the Saints over Gloucester, Hutchinson played a role in each of his side’s four tries, bagging one for himself and directly assisting another with a sexy cross field kick. Full highlights are below, worth also checking out his lovely delayed pass to create the overlap for their first try.
CHIEF TRY SCORER: Jonny Gray completed his Six Nations prep with a try scoring performance for Exeter. And it was the most Exeter try ever, seeing him barge over the line from all of 20cm out following a series of pick and goes. He also added a nice offload to send Ollie Devoto over the line, a sign that his attacking game is improving down at Sandy Park. Scotland captain Stuart Hogg played a nice part in another of Exeter’s tries, looking sharp ahead of the Calcutta Cup. Full highlights below, also including a opportunistic touch down from Duncan Weir. Duncy - now fully unrecognisable post haircut - passed 450 points for Worcester yesterday, an impressive stat in just 50 games.
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RITCHIE OR WON’T HE: Gregor Townsend and the whole Scotland fan base are on tenterhooks as to whether Jamie Ritchie will make it back from a concussion in time to face England. Speaking to the press on Thursday, Townsend said that he was back in light training and things should be clear by the beginning of this week. Nick Haining has been called up to the squad as cover. All fingers are crossed at Thistle HQ for Ritchie to make it back in time.
CAM A LA HARRIS: The Thistle’s spies in camp this week reported that Cam Redpath and Chris Harris were lining up together in the centres. With Harris practically nailed on at 13 under Toony, the 12 jersey looks a three way fight between Redpath, Taylor and Lang. Toony has also been in the press saying he doesn’t have any concerns about handing Redpath an international debut in the Calcutta Cup, despite the nationality melodrama of recent years. The SRU will no doubt be keen to lock in Redpath to a life as a Scotland player, so we fully expect him to feature in the 23, even if he doesn’t make the start.
JUGGLING LESSONS: Intriguing news from inside camp that Finn has taken on more of a coaching role. As meme connoisseur Graham Love points out, this will surely be a good thing for Scottish Rugby:
SQUAD GOALS: The squad for the England game will be announced at lunchtime on Thursday, so keep an eye on our social media feeds for snap reaction. We will then be recording a pod that evening to kick start your Calcutta cup weekend on Friday am.
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