Matthew Reilly

At some point recently, I passed 5k posts here after just under 15 years, roughly 1/day. Used to be a prolific FB user but this is more interesting, even if it has got a bit weird lately. Follow back for more politics, economics, church and a lot of rugby chat.

The only proper answer here is Lawrie Reilly and Joe Baker.

Ioane aside, who has a history of playing international rugby you know, that is an actual starting team of actual current test strength. I thought we might keep them to 30-40 pts diff if we played to our VERY VERY best, but if we keep it to 60-70, what might count as a result.

Things I didn’t expect for 2026: not one, but two U2 EPs released at the beginning and end of the 40 days of Lent. This one I suspect will be more of a grower than Days of Ash, which is a lot more immediate. On first listen, Song for Hal and Easter Parade are the strongest.

Not a serious political party. Keep them away from power at all costs. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

What the Highlands needs is safe, reliable major transport routes. These have been promised for a very long time. If the Greens somehow end up in a coalition, don’t you dare mess this up.

There is no school bus for our kids and those that live in our farthest flung part of the catchment (in this direction) because there are no buses left. An integrated tap on card won’t solve that.

Tell me the Scottish Greens know nothing about rural and Highland Scotland without telling me that the Scottish Greens know nothing rural and Highland Scotland inverness-courier.co.uk/news/greens-wo…

@Gav_S_Harper @ScotRugbyNews @AndyGoode10 @PremSportsTV I don’t know an Edinburgh fan who isn’t talking about it. It’s got to the stage where it’s a beyond a joke.

Spot on from @AndyGoode10 on @PremSportsTV "Someone needs to be talking in the press about why they've made that decision because Edinburgh fans are sat there going 'we're not very good but we've extended a coach's deal who's a lovely bloke, but results are not very good'."

@thistlerugbypod Franco is going to be in high demand in his native land. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that he has been sounded out about the Bulls job.

The primary focus for Scotland going into the 2027 World Cup is beating Ireland in the group stages - despite 3 wins in the 6 Nations for Toony, does the evidence show that Franco is the better man for that particular job?

@AndyBurke_ @TEnglishSport How can the rugby hierarchy continue with Everitt? Nice guy, yes, but it’s just not working. Admit it and move on. There are 3 head coaches “in waiting” in Scotland (Carolan, Horne, Dalziel) any 1 of whom could be given a chance in the likely event that Razor doesn’t fancy it!

After another weekend of wildly contrasting fortunes for Glasgow and Edinburgh, we’ll be recording the rugby podcast tomorrow. As always, would love your questions to get stuck into with @TEnglishSport. Get involved ⬇️

@ROB_Robireland I’m intrigued by not getting mitigation for “good record”. Struggling to understand that one? Particularly in light of the ban handed out for gouging last week. Has he had a bunch of cards that I don’t seem to have remembered?

A breakdown of the ban handed to Edinburgh hooker Harri Morris following his red card against Ulster last weekend.

Erm, bias much? And Earl, who is an 8, over Darge? Are you having an absolute laugh. Trolling an entire nation now…

That first sentence is certainly true. The second less so.

@Scrum365 You’ll not find many, if any, Edinburgh fans who are backing him right now. That will start to hurt the SRU financially and it will become the only viable course of action. We wanted him gone before he was renewed and the feeling has only grown.

Sean Everitt has just signed a new 2 year contract in January. Would be very surprised if the SRU sacked him. Don’t have the cash for that. #EDIvULS

@AndyBurke_ Bayliss not needed to cover the backs this week so can understand the choice of Bradbury, who is a more like-for-like replacement of Dempsey if needed. I’m concerned about the second row though and whether we have enough dig to take on the Irish. Big game needed from Max W.

Thoughts on the team?

@MartinSLewis BoS. No issues.

Do you use the Lloyds, Bank of Scotland or Halifax apps? People have been messsaging me this morning of being shown other peoples transactions. I want to see how widespread this is. Has it happened to you. If so a) What are you seeing? Which app. b) If it is someone elses transactions does it give any of their details too (name, account number etc)?

@AndyBurke_ @TEnglishSport If Cummings, Brown and Dempsey are all out, we need some more aggression brought in. Surely the case for Bradbury for this one couldn’t be stronger? Sorry Tom, I’m also not sure that Williamson will get the call and Alex Craig could partner Gilcho if needed.

Round 5 of the Six Nations and Scotland are right in the mix! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 We’re building up to Dublin and recording the rugby pod tomorrow. As always we would love to hear your questions. One final push!

Third year in a row opening against Italy…

That was bonkers