come on shire

Has anyone managed to catch the team for Cardiff? Can't mind it off the top of my head but they have a few absentees too with the internationals, plus the injured Sam Warburton. However, they'll prove to be tricky opposition as always. Nick Williams starts at 8. He's an absolute war machine who can cause damage. He needs to be watched.

Will be at the BSC game. Already planned a day out in Livingston with the miss on Sat.

Great weekend of rugby. I was at Murrayfield on Saturday and we thoroughly deserved to win as we were clinical. I think it's maybe a bit early to think of 6N titles as, despite our try scoring, our defence needs a lot of work. Going away to tough places you need a solid defence imo. However, moving in the right direction which is great. A lot will be made of Sekope Kepu getting a red card but we can only play what's put in front of us. If Kepu wants to shoulder charge someone in the head and give the referee no option then that's not our issue. I did Swansea in a day on Sunday. In the morning I flew down to Bristol (sitting opposite Jacko) and with the Cardiff Devils ice hockey team on board after their Saturday win up at the Fife Flyers. I got the train from Temple Meads and got a taxi from Swansea. When I got my seat I had only missed 8 mins and it was 3-0 to Ospreys so that wasn't too bad. However, to go to a tough place with not a full squad and get a winning BP in such a fashion was a testament to the strength in depth that Rennie has brought and to the quality of his new signings and academy players. Adam Hastings got MOTM and played very well, but my personal MOTM was Samuela Vunisa at No8. For his first start after injury he was like a bulldozer at breaking the gainline. He was like a Josh Strauss but with more power which was great. Our set piece was good too. Our scrum was strong. Halunakonuka looked the part when he came on at the front row too

Despite being a Glasgow fan I'm really looking forward to a sharp finish from work to catch the Edinburgh game at the Cheetahs (game kicks-off at 5:30pm UK time live on BBC Alba btw). Despite being on a 5 game winning run this is a major test. Apart from when the Warriors visited, Cheetahs are unbeaten at home so have turned their home ground into a bit of a fortress and it'll be interesting to see if Edinburgh can deal with, without exaggeration, a team of sprinters. Edinburgh are on a 5 game winning streak. You can only play what's in front of you but lets be mindful that these wins were vs the 2 Italian teams and an Ospreys team who have been absolutely horrendous so far this season in the league, and in Europe vs Krasny Yar who were the 2nd Challenge Cup qualifiers and a weakened London Irish team who are doing their usual flirting with relegation domestically. So basically this is a massive acid test, if Edinburgh nick a win tonight then other teams will take notice imho and may indicate a turning of the corner. If they lose, it would probably still indicate a lot of work still to be done. Either way, I'd still fancy them to get a win away to the Southern Kings next weekend.

When I stayed out in Oz in 2009/10, I watched a bit of the A League. Wellington Phoenix were in it.

Yeah so that's me booked up. Just over £200 sees me get return flights Edinburgh to Bristol, return shuttle bus from airport and Temple Meads, return train from Temple Meads to Swansea and a match ticket. If all goes to plan train gets in at 12:45pm so a taxi to the ground for kick off

I've attended every Scotland game at Murrayfield since 2012 and I voted Yes and also vote SNP. I can count on 1 hand the amount of Scotland footy games I've been to (thankfully) but it was with people who go to Hampden regularly who *whisper* voted No. Oh dear

Delighted with the performance over the All Blacks. On another day then you never know what may have happened. If we can get that overdue home win vs Oz (never beaten them at Murrayfield since 2009) then we can really say that this year has been a success (maybe barring Fiji in the summer). Disappointed to lose Finn but I think it was expected. I honestly think someone will need to come in next season to compete with Adam Hastings and allow Pete Horne to stick to centre. Hopefully Dave Rennie will have a nice blether with Aaron Cruden over the 2 Montpellier games. The Pro14 starts up again this weekend. Ospreys v Warriors isn't on the TV so I'm very tempted to fly to Cardiff via Amsterdam then train it to Swansea. Or, I may fly to Bristol and train it from there.

The seething Irish union were furious at the SRU and WRU for not voting for them as we voted for France instead with Wales giving SA their vote. Absolutely hilarious to watch them throwing their toys about their cot. On the other hand, I wouldn't be surprised if the French have offered us a home game vs a Tier 2 nation in exchange for a vote.

I was at the game on Saturday and I thought the 1st half was the best for us. Great start to the game which was made in Glasgow. A Finn Russell grubber kick followed by a Tommy Seymour chip straight into the hands of try scorer Stuart Hogg. Overall though, I thought that our set piece was generally fairly sound especially since we have a front row decimated by injury. Our attack was absolutely lethal. Pick of the bunch imo goes to Alex Dunbar for his well taken try. His Selkirk townspeople will be proud. If we are to beat NZ and/or Oz then it's keeping the attack razor sharp that will do this. This brings me to the big negative. The defence. Samoa's issues clearly galvanised them on the pitch and they played for each other looking to win. Wales were humbled in Cardiff in 2012 mind. Samoa are well known as the most physical team in the world and we struggled with this aspect. Our defence was also very dozy. If you score 6 tries then you should be out of sight, not needing to see the game out. If the defence is like this over the next fortnight then our attack will need to stay on the boil or else we're getting smoked. At least Toony knows what the big work on this week will have to be.

I'll just leave this here: Samoa XV: Ah See Tuala, Paul Perez, Kieron Fonotia, Reynold Lee-Lo,David Lemi, Tim Nanai Williams, Pele Cowley;Jordan Lay, Manu Leiataua, Donald Brighouse, Josh Tyrell, Chris Vui (capt), Piula Fa'asalele, TJ Ioane, Jack Lam. Replacements: Motu Matu'u, James Lay, Hisa Sasagi, Fa'atiga Lemalu, Ofisa Treviranus, Mealani Matavao, AJ Alatimu, Alapati Leiua.

It'll be interesting to see where our game goes with the introduction of the semi-pro league. Granted I don't follow too club rugby too closely as I'm more into the professional game but I would like to think it wouldn't have been drawn up without the thought put into the venture and analysing the possible outcomes. We'll just have to wait and see what happens I guess. Samoa are going to be a difficult obstacle on Saturday. Outwith their home ground and on a neutral venue (they beat us in the 4 team tournament in SA in 2013 and pushed us all the way at the 2015 RWC) their away form isn't the best (though they did beat Wales in Cardiff in 2012) however the issues their union has may galvanise them. Major banana skin and they'll command respect.

Slipped up over in Fiji in the summer allied to the fact that Samoa have given us some tough games recently so the Polynesians will be a tricky task and a real banana skin. Who knows what Samoa will turn up? Either galvanised or in turmoil. This is because the Samoan PM is looking for public donations to bail out the Samoan Union as they are bankrupt apparently...

I was at the game on Friday night and what impressed me was how better organised we were than when we played them a couple of weeks ago, despite it being more "squad" teams. 1st half the defending early on was poor and we shipped 2 bad tries but we got away with it because our attack was lethal. We defended our own 5 metre line at the end of the 1st half exceptionally well. Generally better defence in the 2nd half when Leinster had more possession. Especially since we played 20 mins with 14 men. The funny thing is that Friday night was the 10th competitive game of the season and we hadn't had a single player sin-binned in all those games until Scott Cummings was booked on Friday night. I suppose we wanted to make up for it by then getting Alex Dunbar booked shortly after lol. Tempted to do the Swansea drive at the end of the month...

Munster slipped up last weekend along with us getting a winning BP so that sets us up nicely for tonight then the Ospreys away game at the end of the month as they will both be tough games. I'd say that Leinster are a lot more weakened than we are on paper at least. I've noticed that during the international periods the IRFU aren't quite as generous as the SRU for giving players to clubs, traditionally at least. However, it may have been a slightly different story if the game was in Dublin tonight. We have a strong side tonight considering the injuries and the guys in Scotland camp. Also, home advantage may count for a lot tonight. Still a tricky game but one we really need to win anyways.

I do like my trips to the borders. My favourite towns are Hawick and Gala but Selkirk was nice last season with a great wee clubhouse and the lady who works in there was really friendly and great for a blether. Looking forward to tomorrow

I never rated Denton myself. However, I am happy with Strauss, Barclay, Wilson and Watson who can do an effective job in the back row. As for Glasgow, it was an important BP win on Friday night. Munster will be our closest rivals in our conference so to have them only get a losing BP opens up the gap a bit bigger which is helpful. Would be nice to get revenge on Friday night though it could be a tricky game. Dave Rennie says that he hopes Toony will release a few players and is hoping Callum Gibbons will be back (another promising back row for Scotland should he stay in the country). What MAY give us the advantage is that the IRFU can be a lot more stricter regarding players getting leave from the international camps.

Scotland needs a 3rd professional rugby team imho. If the SRU can get the money to support this by opening the doors to the Scotland footy team and domestic cup finals then I'm all for it. Whether this move happens or not remains to be seen...

19 players shows how good Glasgow have been on the domestic front and despite not playing well perhaps a tad unlucky not to snatch the win at Exeter so it's good that we're getting rewarded. However, we should still have our 1st team on Friday night and vs Leinster next weekend in theory at least. Then we have the break. However, then the idea of being a victim of our own success comes into it. There is the Ospreys away game at the end of the Autumn Tests when the players will be rested/recovering from internationals. On the other hand, it could be that the likes of Samuela Vunisa and Lelia Masaga may have comeback from injury and this offers them game time. Also, Ospreys will have a chunk of players with Wales, Ma'afu Fia goes away with Tonga and Jeff Hassler could also be away with Canada so it could be swings and roundabouts. Whilst losing would be disappointing, under the circumstances a losing BP at Ospreys wouldn't be a disaster. However, I think we need to get into strong a position as possible ahead of the Autumn Tests and that would involve a BP win tomorrow night then a revenge win when Leinster visit next weekend.

Was at the game on Saturday. We weren't at the races and were deservedly hammered I'm afraid. We're unbeaten domestically inc. at home vs Munster but Europe is a different animal. A switch seems to go and the intensity increases. To match that you need a competitive pack but we got blown away. Same pack barring Gordy and Strauss and Alex allan and Ashe are able deputies respectively, so my guess is that it could be a coaching issue. Dave Rennie needs to have a meeting with the forwards coaches and go mental with them. If you've visited the Glasgow Warriors FB page you'll notice that there's debates and about who're the better supporters based on streams of people leaving early. There was a mass exodus when Leinster got the BP try with about 4 mins left. The players need to be out for revenge when they visit in the league next weekend. Until then, bouncing back with 5 points vs the Southern Kings on Friday night is a must.

I can see where you're coming from maybe I was a bit harsh in hindsight but you must hit the ground running in the European pool stages. I thought we really needed to leave with something but hopefully we can make amends tomorrow. Moving on, Fraser Brown is going to miss the autumn tests through injury according to BBC Sport. However, the same article says that it's better news regarding John Barclay. He proved an excellent leader in the summer. Brian Alainu'uese is going to miss the next 8 weeks with Glasgow through injury sadly and the Warriors won't have Niko through autumn as he's in the Fiji squad. Also, the Scottish Rugby official website says that John Hardie has been withdrawn from Scotland and Edinburgh duties due to an internal investigation that appears to be under wraps atm.

That was a long train trip home from Exeter on Sunday. Still feeling disappointed about the performance. I hate to be critical of my team but they really let the fans down on Saturday night with that display. We didn't do enough with the ball and take our chances then at the end Niko decides to take the ball into touch in a dangerous area and we end up without even a losing BP. Dave Rennie came away with his positive attitude and putting things right next week jargon. Talking's ok in boxing but not in rugby. They owe the fans a lot when Leinster visit on Saturday. If we lose that then we can forget it. I don't mean to sound over-critical but I feel that it has to be said.

Will Greenwood and his chums were previewing the European games before Pau v Gloucester last night. They sung the praises of the Chiefs and Leinster but only a one sentence quip about Glasgow being possible dark horses and that was it... Booked up for Exeter. Must be the most infuriating place for a match. The ground is right beside the M5 motorway which in turn is a good 3 miles outside the city centre. Loads of events this weekend with an Oktoberfest event, a half marathon and a classical music festival. Can't be bothered with the rigmarole of a hotel in the city so using motorway services accommodation near the ground. Massive but very hard game. Whilst being very disappointing, a losing BP may not be the worst thing in the world to start with. However, we have to believe that the game's winnable. Thomas "the tank engine" Waldrom is out injured as is Jack Nowell. Their big 2nd row Geoff Parling is off to the Melbourne Rebels to boot. So if we play well then we have a chance imho.

I wonder if Scotland will get the chance to scrape a 1-0 win against them at football?

^Many sound points here. Regardless of whether it's the league or Europe, you MUST be winning your home games. If we play well we must aim to beat all 3 sides at home. Leinster do have a great European pedigree, Exeter have now shown that they're a competitive Aviva Premiership side and Montpellier are a top French club but traditionally the French can have quite bad travel sickness. For that reason I'd say Montpellier is the "easiest" match, if such a notion exists at that level. Away from home shall be tougher naturally. We beat Montpellier last time and must believe that we can front up and do it again. Leinster will be very difficult indeed so, whilst disappointing, a losing BP wouldn't be the end of the world. We've beaten Exeter before away but they're now an established force and current English champs so this could be a significantly tougher match. Especially on the back of a trip to SA. Again, whilst a losing BP would be disappointing it wouldn't be the end of the world provide we do the business when Leinster visit next weekend.