Reflections On A Square-Eyed Weekend

WITH BOTH Edinburgh and Glasgow playing on Friday night, I didn't have a dog in the fight, as I made myself comfortable for a long day of televised rugby watching on Saturday.

My rsolve faltered somewhat early-on in the Saracens v Lyon game. I think, by then I had had enough of one-eyed English commentators telling me how wonderful the English clubs were and making pathetic excuses when things weren't going for them, but, I persevered. Thoughts on the day:

1. It's just as well Joe Marler is playing today, back in the bad old days of the 1970s, he'd have been booted out of the game long ago with his antics, such as his efforts to undo the Ulster scrum-half's laces. Back in the day, that would have earned him (in Fin Calder's great phrase) “a guid shoein'”.

2. Northampton just might be the real deal. The way they battled back, with 14 men, to beat Munster at Thomond Park, was worthy of the highest praise.

3. Marcus Smith may be the pundit's favourite, but, to me Fin Smith of Saints is the better bet at ten. He showed nerves of steel to slot those kicks which did much to win the day for his club.

4. Good to see wee Robbie Smith get on for Saints after Curtis Langdon's red card. OK, a couple of his throws went awry, but, he hung-in there and began to hit his jumpers well.

5. Those were a couple of cracking tries which Louis Lynagh scored, his Dad ought to be proud of his boy. A real chip off the old block.

6. We really should be sending somebody from Murrayfield over to Dublin, to find out how Leinster keep producing exceptional young talent.

7. Peter O'Mahony is that rare but priceless type of player – something goes out of his team when he goes off the field.

8. I am sure every man watching it felt the pain when POM's attempted clearance kick hit his team mate in the family jewels – sharp intake of breath all around.

9. Maro Itoje is a very unlikeable young man, but, the way he scored that try off the ruck was athleticism of the highest order.

10. When Saracens' Rotimi Segun learns to catch the ball, he will be on hell of a winger.

TOULOUSE v Bath on Sunday was a cracker of a game. Two quality sides going at it hammer and tongs; some brilliant individuals strutting their stuff; it was a joy to watch. I include in this praise, referee Andrew Brace, who to my mind, gets better and better every time I see him.

In the end, the French side's greater quality told, particularly once the replacements came on, but, full marks to Bath for pushing them all the way.

Speaking of referees, I thought Sam Grove-White and his all-Scottish team of Hollie Davidson, Mike Adamson and Andy McMenemy were very good in the way they controlled the Saracens v Lyon game.

BAYONNE v Exeter was also a cracking game, with the French side bouncing back well from last week's thrashing at Northampton. Some of the Bayonne continuity play was top drawer, while Georgian referee Nika Amashukeli again confirmed he is one of the game's top officials; his handling of the yellow and red cards was first-class.

That game concluded the group stages and we now know the line-up for the last 16. I honestly think Warriors can go to The Stoop and beat Harlequins, to secure their last eight spot. If they do win that, they will be on the road again in the quarter-finals, at either Bordeaux or Saracens.

Edinburgh have finished ranked eighth in the Challenge Cup Last 16, which means they have home advantage against Bayonne – the highest-ranked of the four teams dropping into the Challenge Cup from the Champions Cup.

This is an intriguing clash. If the Bayonne who travelled to Northampton rock up in Edinburgh, the home team will surely ualify. However, if the Bayonne who beat Exeter on Sunday arrive, then Edinburgh will have a game on their hands. A last 16 win will then see Edinburgh travel to either the South African Sharks or Zebre Parma in the last eight.

A MINOR Stairheid Rammy has erupted over Ross McCann being called-up to the International squad, as cover for the injured Darcy Graham. The fact that Graham usually plays on the World Rugby Sevens Circuit for Great Britain has got more than a few people annoyed. So, with Ollie Smith injured, I had a look at our back three resources, and discovered:

International squad: Blair Kinghorn, Darcy Graham (injured), Duhan van der Merwe, Kyle Steyn, Kyle Rowe, Aaron Reed, Harry Paterson, Ross McCann.

Other Scots on SRU books: Jack Brown, Finn Douglas, Jordan Edmunds, Jacob Henry, Nathan Sweeney (all Edinburgh), Kerr Johnston (Glasgow).

Scots in England: Ruaridh McConnachie (Bath), Sean Maitland (Saracens),

Geordie Gwynn (Ealing Trailfinders. U.20), William Robinson (Caldy. U.20).

If you look at that list, Gregor Townsend has pretty-much called-up every available Scottish back three player into his International squad. There are not too-many available Anglo-Scots to choose from.

And here's another list to consider:

Non-Scots on SRU books: Emeliano Boffelli, Wes Goosen (Edinburgh); Sebastian Cancilliere, Facundo Cordero, Ollie Horne, Josh McKay (Glasgow). So, our two professional teams between them employ as many non-Scots in the back three than they do uncapped Scots. So, foreign mercenaries are denying Scottish talent a chance at the professional game.