STOP THE COUNT
Two BPs for the pro teams, happy new year everyone
WELCOME: what a way to kick off 2022, two bonus point wins for the Scottish pro sides going some way to making up for the disappointment of the 1872 Cup cancellation over the festive period. Typically there is a ying and yang to Scottish rugby, whereby for one Scottish pro side to succeed, the other has to fail miserably. Yet so far this season, aside from the odd blip down Scotstoun way, things are looking pretty rosy for both our teams. Edinburgh lead the URC outright and are well positioned for a tilt at the Challenge Cup, while Glasgow are competing at the top table both domestically and in Europe, the recent defeat of Exeter one of their best results for years. As most Scottish rugby fans know too well, there is plenty yetr that could go horribly wrong, but let us enjoy this moment for what it is, ahead of the usual soaring hope and crushing disappointment of another Six Nations campaign.
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TOP OF THE PILE: Edinburgh climbed to the top of the URC table (for the first time since 2009!) after a comfortable 34-10 bonus point win over Cardiff at the DAM Health Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Four tries in the first half alone, all products of scintillating back play from the Edinburgh three quarters, were enough to put away a stuffy Welsh side. Bennett and Lang carved up the opposition defence with ease throughout, while the Argies Boffelli and Moyano continue to prove astute bits of business.
However, it was eventual man of the match Magnus Bradbury who impressed most, a man reborn under Mike Blair who continues to put himself in the shop window for Six Nations selection. This performance will likely add further fuel to rumours reaching Thistle HQ that Maggie is attracting the attention of several suitors down south…
Although Edinburgh will have been disappointed with their second half display, and will be aware that there are bigger tests ahead, this represents yet another feather in Blair’s cap. Roll on London Irish next week, as the pro sides attentions turn to Europe once again.
Highlights in all their glory are below:
BLAIR’s BABES: how good is this stat from Russ Petty, showing just how much things have changed at Edinburgh during Blair’s brief time in charge:
OSPREYS CLIPPED: Glasgow followed Edinburgh’s lead on Saturday evening at Scotstoun, securing a 38-19 victory over the visiting Ospreys. While rusty at times, Danny Wilson will be reasonably happy with his side’s performance after the 1872 cup cancellation deprived the Warriors of competitive action since mid-December of last year. It also sets up Glasgow nicely for next week’s trip to Sandy Park in the Champions Cup.
Ross Thompson and Rory Darge were some of the stand out performers, yet Sione Tuipulotu stole the show, helping himself to two tries to cap off an excellent display on both sides of the ball. It was also nice to see Josh Mackay - destined to become the best ever Scottish pro team signing™ - scoring his first try for his new club, the brick shithouse Walter Fifita making his debut off the bench and handy game time for young Jamie Dobie.
Two bonus point wins, no more Strictly on the telly - what more could you ask for from a Saturday evening?
Highlights below:
STOP THE COUNT! Granted Leinster and Ulster have a game in hand, but things are looking pretty decent for the pro sides in the URC right now.
HOGG STAYING PUT: silly season can give rise to all sorts of ridiculous chatter, but one rumour gaining pace over Christmas was that Stuart Hogg is destined to depart the Exeter Chiefs at the end of the season. With a return to Scotland or a French foray mooted as possible destinations, Hoggy felt strongly enough to come out and publicly deny the rumours, through official statements on his social media and through Exeter - an unusual and fairly punchy step. The difficulty for us punters is the rugby clubs’ recent penchant for refusing to reveal the lengths of contract extensions, with the SRU in particular well versed at obfuscating its offer terms. If Hogg’s contract ends in 2022, then “desire to stay” really means “honour my contract but exit stage left”, but if it ends in 2023 this implies he has no intention of departing the club early. Perhaps this story has further legs…
To be fair to Hoggy, he has been back to his best of late for Exeter, producing a man of the match performance in his side’s recent defeat of Bristol that included this tidy finish:
SPORCLE QUIZ: Alan, the self proclaimed ‘Scottish Anne Robinson’ has been putting his spare time to good use of late, coming up with a great quiz on all Scottish internationals since the 2019 World Cup. Have a go using the link below and let us know how you get on:
https://www.sporcle.com/games/ThistleRP/scotland-rugby-players-since-2020
SCOTS ABROAD
English Premiership
Bristol v Sale: Jake Kerr (16) v Ewan Ashman (2), Byron McGuigan (14) and Gus Warr (21) - Ashman helping himself to a well finished score.
Harlequins v Exeter: Scott Steele (21) and Huw Jones (22) v Jonny Gray (4) and Stuart Hogg (15)
Newcastle v Northampton: Gary Graham (20) v Rory Hutchinson (12) and Fraser Dingwall (13)
Saracens v Gloucester: Tim Swinson (5), Andy Christie (8) and Callum Hunter Hill (19) v Adam Hastings (10), Chris Harris (13) and Charlie Chapman (21) - the boot of Hastings guiding Gloucester to their first win at Saracens since 2008.
Bath v Worcester: Josh Bayliss (8) and D’arcy Rae (18) v Rory Sutherland (1), Duhan van der Merwe (11) and Tom Dodd (20) - Sutherland’s early red card ensuring an uphill battle for Worcester that was too steep to overcome, and potentially ruling him out of the Six Nations opener against England. Eek.
Wasps v Leicester: Robin Hislop (1) v Matt Scott (13)
Top 14
Finn Russell was up to his usual circus tricks on Saturday, leading Racing 92 to an impressive win over French heavyweights Clermont. As the clip below shows, Finn can also do the nitty gritty work when required:
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