THE GUINNESS Six Nations may be over for another year, but, there will be international-level intensity at Thomond Park, Limerick, tonight at tea-time, when Munster and Glasgow lock horns in a crucial BKT United Rugby Championship encounter.
Trips to Limerick are never easy, and, this one matters; with Warriors lying fourth in the table and Munster fifth, a mere two points adrift. So, if Munster win, they will leap-frog Warriors into fourth place and a potential home quarter-final draw. However, on paper, Warriors appear to have the easier run-in, but, winning tomorrow would be a huge step in that fight for the home quarter-final.
So, with so much at stake, Warriors' Coach Franco Smith has loaded his match-day squad, bringing back nine of their players who have been on Scotland duty throughout the Six Nations.
The Warriors' squad, as ever in 1-23 order is:
Nathan McBeth, Fraser Brown, Zander Fagerson, Scott Cummings, JP du Preez, Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, Sione Vailanu; Ali Price, Domingo Miotti, Jamie Dobie, Sam Johnson, Stafford McDowall (Captain), Cole Forbes, Ollie Smith. Replacements: Johnny Matthews, Allan Dell, Lucio Sordoni, Lewis Bean, Alex Samuel, Thomas Gordon; George Horne, Tom Jordan.
Smith has gone with a six-two forwards/backs split for his bench, obviously expecting the usual forward-dominated game from the Munstermen.
The match kicks-off at 5.15pm and can be watched live on Viaplay.
HOWEVER, the big news from today's URC programme is – Darcy Is Back. The Hawick Hero has been named on the right-wing in the Edinburgh team which faces Connacht tomorrow afternoon, kick-off 3.05pm.
Graham's return is a welcome boost for Edinburgh, who are badly in need of a win following some disappointing recent reverses. Also back, having completed his spell in 'Tackle School' after his red card against France is Scotland lock Grant Gilchrist, who captains the following side – as ever in 1-23 order:
Boan Venter, Stuart McInally, Leroy Atalifo, Sam Skinner, Grant Gilchrist (Captain), Ben Muncaster, Connor Boyle, Bill Vata; Henry Pyrgos, Blair Kinghorn, Damien Hoyland, James Lang, Mark Bennett, Darcy Graham, Emeliano Boffelli. Replacements: Dave Cherry, Luan de Bruin, Wilem Nel, Marshall Sykes, Glen Young; Ben Vellacott, Chris Dean, Nathan Sweeney.
It might be asking a lot for Edinburgh to make the last eight, from their current twelfth position in the league – seven points adrift of today's hosts, who currently occupy that last quarter-final place. However, perhaps the arrival of Steve Diamond can galvanise a late run in which Edinburgh can upset the odds.
ONE OF the worst things about great age is – you go soft. In physical terms, you lose muscle mass, you become more-easily tired and can no longer do what was once easy.
You also go, for want of a better expression, soft in the head. You no longer tolerate things you once did, while you start to do things you would never do. Aged 76 now – I have become aware of that this week, because, I've become sorry for those bar stewards at Marr RFC.
I jest somewhat, I have a few guys around Fullarton I am proud to call friends – yes, even the Still Game Gang, particularly the SGG.
I am sorry for them because this excellent club, which is – local jealousies aside – one of the best in Scotland, has been denied what promised to be a good day today, by Watsonians scratching from their scheduled Tennent's Scottish Cup clash with Marr, at Fullarton.
Marr had one of their excellent lunches planned, while they intended to make use of the big crowd tha game promised to attract, by honouring their league-winning Third XV.
Apparently, the Colinton Toffs: “cannot raise a front row.” Naw, tell the truth boys – you cannot find a prop prepared to be torn a new one by propping against Gordy Reid. That is perhaps closer to the truth.
This season, Watsonians have been regularly fielding three full Xvs in official SRU-run competitions.
Their First XV lies ninth in National League 1, having fulfilled 20 fixtures
Their Second XV lies 2nd in East Regional Reserve League 2, having fulfilled 16 fixtures
Their Third XV finished second in East Reserve League Three, to qualify for stage two of that competition, where they lie second, after four fixtures.
So, Watsonians have had no problem in meeting their fixture schedule thus far this season, but, O.K., we hear suggestions a lot of Edinburgh players are unable to go beyond the city limits. Suddenly, facing an away trip, past Harthill Cross, to a higher-ranked team, they cannot find enough front rowers. “Aye Right!” as we say here in the West of Scotland.
I expect better of one of Scotland's Establishment clubs.
WATSONIANS' withdrawal means, Marr have become the first club into the last eight of this season's Scottish Cup. By tonight, they will know who the other seven clubs are.
There are some interesting games today, in a draw which reads:
Currie Chieftains v Melrose
Dundee Rugby v Glasgow Hawks
Edinburgh Academical v Hawick
GHA v Ayr
Kelso v Heriot's Blues
Selkirk v Musselburgh
Stirling County v GHK.
Match of the round is probably the Raeburn Place meeting of Accies and Hawick, who are aiming for a League and Cup double, and of course, keeping hold of the Bill McLaren Shield.
However, there are some other cracking ties, such as the clash of GHA anfd Ayr at Braidholm. I must in particular highlight one aspect of the final game on that list – the Bridgehaugh clash of Stirling County and GHK.
This will be County legend Johnny 'Joffy' Hope's final home match for the host club, he deserves the best-possible send-off after a terrific career.
AND ANOTHER thing, the most-unpleasant match of the weekend is likely to be on Sunday morning, when the Welsh Rugby Union holds a special meeting in Port Talbot.
It's fair to say, things are fairly toxic down in the valleys. Things could get nasty at this meeting, with the clubs being asked to consider some very-radical, and hugely-controversial options.
I know The Murrayfield Junta doesn't have a lot of time for the awkward squad up here, but, when compared to the Taffia, The Scotia Nostra of rugby are a bunch of pussy cats.
FINALLY – I believe the FOSROC Super Clubs will, this season and going forward, find it increasingly difficult to justify importing NSQ (Non-Scottish-Qualified) players into their squads, but, I do welcome one import from outside Scottish Club rugby.
When Ayrshire Bulls played Newcastle Falcons last Friday, the man in the number two shirt was former Scotland hooker Grant Stewart.
With both Fraser Brown and Stuart McInally now both in their mid-thirties and surely heading for the exit door, I reckon, a good season with the Bulls could see Grant back at Scotstoun.
He was one of the unfortunate Scottish guys who fell out of favour during the Dave Rennie/Danny Wilson years, but, I reckon, under Franco Smith, given a fair crack of the whip, he could rebuild his career, starting with a good game when Bulls play Warriors A in the Super Six Sprint Series. I certainly wish him well.
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