come on shire

Fine Edinburgh win yesterday but Toulon were howling. Their league position in the Top14 shows that. Edinburgh are capable of beating the Falcons home and away but it'll be no gimme going by their win in France and last gasp win vs Montpellier. Glasgow's display was poetry and bounced back well from last weekend. Hopefully Sarries get 1st wrapped up asap and we can focus on a best 2nd place. We're capable of beating Lyon home and away (preferably with all 10 points). They've lost twice so might just rest players.

He is effective off the bench but I'm thinking that he'll want the 9 shirt as opposed to the 21 shirt now. Scarlets was an odd move imho as he was always going to have a hard time shifting Gareth Davies at an in-form Welsh side especially with a WC next year and the Scarlets gaffer going to Wales after. It could be lack of game time that cost him a place in Scotland's autumn squad. SH-C moving to Glasgow is something I wouldn't mind. You're right enough. He scored a 7 minute hat-trick which is impressive albeit vs the Southern Kings.

Sam H-C started from the bench again. I've noticed he's had difficulty shifting Gareth Davies this season. Maybe a bit quick to leave Edinburgh maybe?

Nope. Going to Gala lol.

As a Shire supporter I wish them all the best but I'm at Scotland vs Fiji that day too. GordonS I admire your enthusiasm and I agree with your final sentence but Fiji are the quickest team in the world and will be no gimme lolol.

Andrew Brace from Ireland is ref for the Fiji game, Romain Poite for the SA game then Paul Williams (NZ) for the Argentina game.

*WARNING, WARNING* Mathieu Raynal to referee Wales v Scotland.

Blade Thomson has a grandad from Wishaw and Sam Skinner has a grandparent from Ayr. A few big names missing in Cardiff but it's a charity game mostly. I'd be happy for Toony to experiment with his tactics and the squad staying injury-free then go for it in the 3 home games tbh. My query is why Adam Ashe wasn't selected. Started this season well and should be considered unlucky. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne is absent too. I've noticed that he's playing 2nd fiddle to Gareth Davies at the Scarlets but had a decent summer for Scotland nevertheless...

Sunday was a big disappointment. At least we stopped Sarries getting a winning BP by defending well and keeping things tight. It was the worst reffing display I have ever witnessed. Maitland was in touch when he set up their try so the rest of the officials need to take a serious look at themselves too. That apart we didn't help ourselves even if we were unlucky to miss a losing BP. If we want to be a serious European team then we need to be winning home games vs other top sides. Though the score was tight and we did apply pressure at times we never looked like scoring a try. Hastings missing that simple kick at 0-0 a la Freddie Burns didn't help either. Cardiff's a MUST win. If we don't at least we can expect Sarries to BP Lyon in London. Then we would need 10 points home and away to Lyon who would rest players by that point. If we don't then it's back to the ordinary Pro14 with yet another year of doing little in Europe. We have players capable of playing at that level but there's others who can't. This needs addressed but budget's a big factor too. Premier Sports bigger deal helps but more's needed. We've never heard any more of the SRU's plan to open their doors to outside investors. Gaining more independence from the SRU to seek our own extra investment could help too. Glasgow don't own Scotstoun outright but there's the Lowland League football team BSC Glasgow ground sharing at Alloa who've tried and failed to ground share at Scotstoun or even to ring-fence the side pitch (where they train). If Glasgow didn't make any money at least with another sports team the rent would reduce to free up cash. However it is what it is I guess :/

Lee Jones is on a rich vein of form atm but would rather have Tommy starting with Jones benched. Also, Petrus du Plessis should be starting over D'arcy Rae. du Plessis knows this opponent and is more experienced in Europe with 2 titles. Huw Jones is dangerous in attack but has been more lethal for Scotland tbh until just recently. He's going to have needed to nailed his defence this week as Sarries could cut through us like toffee otherwise. Finally, Fagerson's good but would rather have Ashe starting, wherever he is...

I was at a Glasgow Warriors supporters event (I'm a season ticket holder) and noticed when we were leaving that BSC were training on the main side pitch. I can understand why it must be so frustrating to be connected with BSC but playing at Alloa. So, If Scotstoun isn't an option then why not just ring-fence the main side pitch then 'voila'...

Even though we're at home, is there any chance at all of us beating Sarries on Sunday? Spiking Sarries pre-match water with laxitive sounds like our only hope but that would be frowned upon...

Just home from the game. From looking at the team it's no secret that Rennie rested players for next Sun. Therefore long-term injuries, '2nd' XV squad players and youngsters were playing together for the 1st time this season. A bit of gelling so there were errors but I'd hope the set pieces are practiced to oblivion next week as they were slack. Overall we were playing Zebre's strongest team (apart from Carlo Canna) but still worked hard and took advantage when Zebre tired and collapsed, though their yellow card helped.

Looking forward to heading to CSS tomorrow. I went during our 1st season in the LL and the committee were great and laid on free pies for the fans at f/t. This time winning could be tough (current form, league table) but as a day out I'm really looking forward to it. The Strollers folks are a lovely bunch

Not the perfect display but the conditions maybe didn't help. However it was back to winning ways with a BP too. Night and day compared to last weekend. Talk has turned to Saracens now as Dave Rennie has said himself that a lot of work needs done before we can beat Sarries. A lot of work to do over the next fortnight. Oh, btw we have a home league game vs Zebre on Fri night first...

Have you not noticed that both Shire and Falkirk have both been ganting since the summer? Ever since Little Mix left a hex on the place with their Black Magic. I think we need a witch doctor to dance round the stadium chanting counter-curses...

Edinburgh got a BP win tonight and have played ok in spells so far this season. They were also very unlucky in Belfast. However they're a lot less clinical and savvy than last season with white libe fever creeping into their game. With a large chunk of the Edinburgh pack with Scotland isn't it concerning heading into the autumn? I'm hopeful that they'll raise their game when Toony gets fired into them in Scotland camp though...

Refs for the 1st 2 rounds of Europe have been announced. When Saracens come to visit us, Mathieu Reynal will be the ref. Then when we go to Cardiff, Luke Pearce is reffing. For Edinburgh fans, their 1st game away to Montpellier will have a guy called Wayne Barnes reffing... Their 2nd game at home to Toulon has JP Doyle reffing.

I wonder what Dave Rennie did in the dressing room at f/t? "Hard lines lads, better luck next week" I hope NOT...

Shame to have missed the Huntly trip as it would have been a good day out. However away to Gala in R2 means I can take my gf for a day trip to her homeland and she can catch up with her old school mates etc.

Not a total disaster as Munster lost on Fri night and we managed a try BP today. I'm confident that we can get 2 winning BPs when the Dragons then Zebre visit too. However we lost by losing avoidable, pedestrian tries early. I don't buy the idea that pros don't get complacement as they're human. We thought we'd have 5 points bagged by h/t. This can never happen again.

Munster result great for Glasgow. We must take advantage by getting 3 wins in a row vs S. Kings, Dragons then Zebre. Preferably with a BP in each. Real banana skins though...

If that's true then that's pretty disappointing.

Kevin Bryce was a hooker. Instead of moving to back row like a lot of hookers he fancied propping lol. Solid team though. I'm looking for us to win but a BP could be tough as Ulster had issues there last week.

Our back row strength in depth is marvellous atm. To bring in John Hardie would allow for more competition which is a good thing. We also have Adam Ashe on terrific form too with Rob Harley in the mix. Anyone know what's happened to the new American lad we brought in? Has he been injured? Blow to lose Hoggy. However, Jacko stepped up and did a great job this time last season when Hoggy got injured. I think it'll be Jacko and Kinghorn that compete for the 15 shirt for the autumn tests.