come on shire

I was expecting a winnable squad vs Italy and Fiji with the strongest team vs Oz. So far it looks like a decent bet lol. Not surprised to see more forwards on the bench. If it turns into an arm wrestle then the heat over there could eventually take its toll which could be costly. Rumour has it that Italy are resting players but I'm not sure how accurate that is.

South Africa's Blomfoentein Cheetahs have been invited to join the Pro12. Now we need to add another or remove someone to make it an even number I'd think...

Not a strong follower but will still watch as a rugby fan. Hopefully the Scots will have good games though. Their Super Rugby teams are their equivalent of our Pro12, Aviva Premiership and Top 14 and 3 of those fixtures will see All Blacks playing for their clubs. The Maori game could be a serious test too. Really looking forward to watching the rugger this summer. However, I'll skip the opening game this w/e though. It's just a Barbarians team from the NZ provincial league. Merely an exhibition match tbh...

Some good suggestions if both Challenge Cup finalists are in Champs cup via league position already. Maybe they adjourned the meeting to head to the pub a wee bit too early lol. Honestly, I don't follow 7's closely but what a great achievement for Scotland. Fingers crossed for them in the final. Has Grayson Hart been getting game time?

I have a quick question. As of the end of next season the Champs Cup will be entered on merit only. The top 7 in the Pro12, and the top 6 in both the Aviva Premiership and the Top 14. That's 19 teams. However, it's the 20th place that stumps me. It'll be the winner of the Challenge Cup. If the winner has already qualified on league position it'll be the losing finalist. However, just suppose BOTH finalists have qualified through league position??

Finished 36-8 to Enisei STM. Krasno Yar were a bit on the poor side. About 1,000 max and there was a temp stand up. I got free entry with my match ticket for the Champs Cup final. Decent game. Scotland's Mike Adamson was the ref.

I went to the game last night. Even first half but Stade just walked over Gloucester in the 2nd. 2 silly yellow cards to boot, especially the first. I think their gaffer to Heinz off for that and brought on Laidlaw, who had a quiet game if I'm being honest. Off to the Champs cup final today with Hamilton and Taylor benched for Sarries. Up early enough so going to catch the Russian derby in the Continental Shield (think footy's old Intertoto Cup).

He's a winger. Hoping, along with Callum Gibbins, Olli Kebble and Adam Hastings, he can help pick up wins over international periods (Huw Jones will be with Scotland). That's what arguably cost us the play-offs this season...

Pool 1 was never a beautiful selection but Ireland was possibly the most ideal pick in theory. If I'm being honest playing the hosts, who are also the established new kids on the block, will be tricky so I'd have preferred Italy or, even better, Georgia. However, anything's better than the notorious WC game-raisers, and 2015 s/f Argentina. When we play Japan in their own place this time it won't be with a knackered squad at the end of the season which is a positive. Anyone know when the other teams get announced? I'd fancy BP wins in the other 2 games. Unless we get Samoa coz that would be a tricky, physical arm wrestle potentially.

My brain could burst at all the possibilities. I think it'll be the usual suspects. Though perhaps Russia could cause a shock. We'll need to see what happens. In other news Sean Maitland's a huge doubt for June.

Oz game has a 5am k/o UK time. No announcements on Italy and Fiji k/o's. Does anyone know what time the World Cup draw is at in the UK? Thinking it might be very early as it's in Kyoto.

She's terminal if I'm not mistaken. Very sad news. Greig Laidlaw called up as replacement. Meanwhile, I'm on the way back from the game. We were utterly abysmal. Very hollow trophy presentation. Getting turned over at home by your rivals is one thing but we never up for that. Two good tries from Jonny and Hoggy aside it was mince. Edinburgh deserved it. In other news, Toony announces his first Scotland team on Monday and the draw for the World Cup group stage is drawn on Wednesday in Kyoto.

Interesting article from the BBC. It's an interview with Toony and he's saying that it's a Scotland trial in a sense as the squad gets named on Mon (the 2019 World Cup draw is also next week). I totally get that and he's entitled to watch the game back afterwards with a neutral perspective. However, for the duration of the game I sincerely hope he's 100% Glasgow minded. Maybe wasn't the best thing to say heading into an important game with pride and silverware at stake.

There have been elements of disappointment in Glasgow's season but I think it's a bit much to run to the lifeboats. Not making the play-offs was disappointing. I blame the results over the international periods this season. The group we had previously have since moved on and/or graduated to the 1st team and Scotland set-up. What we had this season such as Hart and Clegg simply haven't been good enough. However there have been a few diamonds in rough that could lead the charge during international periods next season. Nick Grigg and Brian Alainu'uese come to mind (along with the new signings hopefully). Let's not forget we enjoyed BP wins home and away to the Pro12 champs and a home BP win vs Leinster. We also got a derby win away to Edinburgh. We made massive strides in Europe by getting to the knock-outs for the first time ever. This included thumping Racing AND Leicester home and away. However, we want to finish on a high by beating Edinburgh at home. Bragging rights and silverware at stake too. Going to be a tricky game though...

If Ulster lose their last 2 games and we beat Edinburgh at home with a bonus point next Sat we get 5th (if I mind the table correctly). That would give us Pot 3 in Euro Champs cup draw next season.

My understanding is that TG4 is an Irish language channel. A bit like BBC Alba and the Welsh offering S4C is over here. Also, it's been announced that it's restricted to Ireland only unless you have a device with an Irish IP address. Looks like Edinburgh v Dragons on Alba tonight then...

Interesting to see what team Leinster pick. Only played a massive game on Sunday just past. They're also guaranteed a home s/f. On the other hand they need to win to maintain a 1st place finish which means a game vs 4th place. If we win we would still be on course for 5th (and Pot 3 in Euro draw) and if Ospreys win at home vs Ulster on Sat that would help us further.

Stade Francais v Bath was a bit turgid in the 1st half and the first part of the 2nd but then it really came to life. Really entertaining climax

Eddie Jones has named his England squad for their 2 test tour of Argentina. He was quoted on BBC Sport saying that they look forward to "winning 2-0". Hopefully Argentina disagree with this and do something about it. A lot of the Argentina team play for their new Jaguares Super Rugby franchise so they can now play stronger teams over summer.

Game was only on Eurosport Italia so didn't see anything. However that would have been a mess surely.

Finished 21-6. Ospreys lost in Treviso albeit with a weakened side. Edinburgh had their strongest squad over there.

I was at the game. Zebre made major changes but so did we. Potential banana skin but we were out of sight by h/t. Disappointing to lose 2 tries but when your home and hosed and playing quite limited opposition then it is human nature to relax and switch off a bit. Hopefully Munster will beat Ulster to help Glasgow's outside chances of 5th.

Kelly Brown was never a great player imo and captained a pretty mediocre team, though I was at the 2013 home win vs Ireland which admittedly was a great result. However, he was a great servant to the cause on the pitch and was a good advocate for the game in Scotland. As for tonight, Toony's resting a few for the last 2 games but allows the new 1st teamers to get into the mix and allows the 1st teamers coming back from long-term injury to get back playing. I can see why as you want a strong side for going to Dublin (a thumping there would look bad and do the fringe players confidence no good) and the last home game which is a derby with silverware up for grabs. Even though the play-offs are gone we could still get 5th and get Pot 3 in Europe next season. Zebre are making a raft of changes. Not sure why though...

Nasi Manu to leave Edinburgh for Benneton Treviso next season.

I lived in Mebourne. Defo a sports city. During the summer it's all cricket. In winter AFL and Rugby League's Melbourne Storm are the 2 big crowd pullers with "soccer" gaining a substantial foothold too. However, there's a limited interest in Union and the Rebels results probably shows that. I have a soft spot for them but I thought it would be them and not Perth's Western Force in for the chop.