Edinburgh Rugby Supporters Club

"Scrum half Nathan Fowles, who joined Edinburgh on loan in February until the end of the season, has signed with the club until May 2016 while lock Alex Toolis has committed to the club for a further season."

Not at all surprised that Fowles is sticking around, hopefully he'll kick on and provide good competition for SHC and Kennedy. Pleasantly surprised that Alex Toolis has been offered another year - hopefully he'll get a chance to prove himself too.

http://www.edinburghrugby.org/news/15/0 ... pital-club

Two good bits of news.

Liked the look of Fowles straight away, really sharp service and I think this is a good bit of business.

Alex Toolis hasn't played much but given the impact his brother has had I think its well worth persevering with for another year- they've got the same genetics after all so given the same opportunities we could have another good player on our hands!

The Nudger wrote:Two good bits of news.

Liked the look of Fowles straight away, really sharp service and I think this is a good bit of business.

Me too, especially as Kennedy is crocked and Hart is away.

Alex Toolis hasn't played much but given the impact his brother has had I think its well worth persevering with for another year- they've got the same genetics after all so given the same opportunities we could have another good player on our hands!

Are they identical or non-identical twins?

bignose wrote:

The Nudger wrote:Two good bits of news.

Liked the look of Fowles straight away, really sharp service and I think this is a good bit of business.

Me too, especially as Kennedy is crocked and Hart is away.

Alex Toolis hasn't played much but given the impact his brother has had I think its well worth persevering with for another year- they've got the same genetics after all so given the same opportunities we could have another good player on our hands!

Are they identical or non-identical twins?

Ben has long hair and a beard and Alex has short hair and clean shaven

Seriously though, I'm sure they're identical twins.

Michael Allen signing from Ulster confirmed, 2 year deal.

Don't know much about this guy, decent size and looks like he's got a bit of pace from youtube. Seems to be a centre first and wing second so don't know where we'll be playing him.

Gut feeling is that he'll be a squad player rather than a leading light but if he turns into our version of Tommy Seymour then all good!

With this signing and Helu to come think its looking increasingly likely that the big 'tah's wing may be alocated to Glasgow?

The Nudger wrote:Michael Allen signing from Ulster confirmed, 2 year deal.

Don't know much about this guy, decent size and looks like he's got a bit of pace from youtube. Seems to be a centre first and wing second so don't know where we'll be playing him.

Gut feeling is that he'll be a squad player rather than a leading light but if he turns into our version of Tommy Seymour then all good!

With this signing and Helu to come think its looking increasingly likely that the big 'tah's wing may be alocated to Glasgow?

I'm hoping that he is being signed as a future star 13, so maybe hold the conclusion on the Tah for now

I think even with Helu coming and this guy we are still a bit short on the wings. Bear in mind we have "lost" Jones, Walker and now Visser. So really we need to bolster. We are also short at 13 so Allan sounds like he is coming to do a job share with Beard. Hopefully Hoyland will be stepping up and Brown can get more game time. We will potentially (hopefully) be losign Bez and McLennan who were back 3 cover so there should be space in the squad.

Auld and Dean hopefully will get some game time in the centre in the next year too. They are showing promise but need higher level games to find out what the have got before they plateau.

I think that rather than a squad player he his providing a much needed quality option in a position of relative weakness. We are really short at 13, Beard is probably our only recognised one at present and he has got better as the season has gone on, Auld and Dean we believe have a lot of potential and we should get to see them next season, Matt Scott has played at 13 but most would rather see him at 12, similarly Burleigh has played at 13 but most would like to see more of him at 10 so I think we may see a fair bit of Allen.

If Helu and Allen can cover the wing as well it can only be good and gives us some options.

If the young guys are good enough, then Solomons will play them - Sutherland, Toolis, Watson, SHC are evidence of this. I'm hopeful that some of the lack of signings n the backs mean that he believes that some of Brown, Hoyland, Dean, Auld, Farndale, Glashan, Howarth are going to step up and establish themselves as first teamers next season.