THIS is a crucial weekend and the start of a vital period of games for Glasgow and Edinburgh in the Heineken Cup, and for Ayr, Gala, Edinburgh Accies and Stirling County in the British & Irish Cup.
With all the political posturing going on around the Heineken, mostly driven by the self-interest of the English Premiership clubs and their paymasters, Glasgow and Edinburgh MUST put on a show. I have no fears around Glasgow, with the quality of player in their squad and their current form, they need fear nobody; but, alas, I have genuine fears around Edinburgh. They could be in for an embarrassing time and, make no mistake, if either or both of our representatives don't at least compete until the end of the group stages, it will be grist to the mill of English interests.
In the longer run, I fear compromise will dictate that only a top-half finish in the Rabo in future years will keep a Scottish presence in the Heineken. Don't worry, the much-hyped English-run replacement will not happen - if the Italian, Irish and Scottish Unions maintain enough pressure to keep the Welsh onside, and, if the FFR's nerve holds in the face of their top clubs' seeming temporary failure to mistrust perfidious Albion - and, the biggest if of all - if the likes of Fran Cotton and Bill Beaumont remember how hard they were as players and drag their clubs into line.
Again, looking long-term; I have to ask: would a season in the Amlin Challenge Cup be that bad for one or other of our professional sides? I think not. Sure, it would be better to have both in the Heineken, but, particularly given restoring Edinburgh looks like being more than a one-season challenge, maybe a couple of seasons in the lesser European arena would be a good thing for this troubled club.
What would also be good for Edinburgh would be finding a settled stand-off. To his credit, Alan Solomons seems to be giving Harry Leonard every chance to fit into the 10 jersey, but, he needs to be challenged.
If young Heathcote harbours genuine Scottish ambitions, he should get out of Bath and up to Edinburgh as quickly as he possibly can. Then there is this week's hot number, Tommy Allen. Murrayfield must decide, in the next couple of weeks, to reel him into our pro set-up, or lose him to the Italians. The question is - is he the real deal or not?
If so, go get him; which means deciding, is he a better long-term bet than Heathcote, Leonard, Finn Russell, Alex Blair or Gregor Hunter? It's not as if he's the only young, promising stand-off on the horizon.
I also fear, with all the broo-ha about him and, clearly since he has a competent agent, Murrayfield might be stampeded into making him an offer which might be too-high. Promise is all very well, but, the bars of Scottish clubs are awash with Might Bes, who never delivered.
As for the four B&I Cup sides. I expect Ayr and Gala, who have been there before, to make the most-telling contributions to any Scottish feel-good effect which might accrue, but wouldn't write-off the youthful enthusiasm around Raeburn Place and Bridgehaugh.
But, even with their drafted fringe professionals, our four representatives face really tough matches against better-funded opponents from elsewhere in these islands. As with our pro teams, however, they may well surprise a few along the way.
Let's enjoy the ride, even though it might be a roller-coaster one.
With all the political posturing going on around the Heineken, mostly driven by the self-interest of the English Premiership clubs and their paymasters, Glasgow and Edinburgh MUST put on a show. I have no fears around Glasgow, with the quality of player in their squad and their current form, they need fear nobody; but, alas, I have genuine fears around Edinburgh. They could be in for an embarrassing time and, make no mistake, if either or both of our representatives don't at least compete until the end of the group stages, it will be grist to the mill of English interests.
In the longer run, I fear compromise will dictate that only a top-half finish in the Rabo in future years will keep a Scottish presence in the Heineken. Don't worry, the much-hyped English-run replacement will not happen - if the Italian, Irish and Scottish Unions maintain enough pressure to keep the Welsh onside, and, if the FFR's nerve holds in the face of their top clubs' seeming temporary failure to mistrust perfidious Albion - and, the biggest if of all - if the likes of Fran Cotton and Bill Beaumont remember how hard they were as players and drag their clubs into line.
Again, looking long-term; I have to ask: would a season in the Amlin Challenge Cup be that bad for one or other of our professional sides? I think not. Sure, it would be better to have both in the Heineken, but, particularly given restoring Edinburgh looks like being more than a one-season challenge, maybe a couple of seasons in the lesser European arena would be a good thing for this troubled club.
What would also be good for Edinburgh would be finding a settled stand-off. To his credit, Alan Solomons seems to be giving Harry Leonard every chance to fit into the 10 jersey, but, he needs to be challenged.
If young Heathcote harbours genuine Scottish ambitions, he should get out of Bath and up to Edinburgh as quickly as he possibly can. Then there is this week's hot number, Tommy Allen. Murrayfield must decide, in the next couple of weeks, to reel him into our pro set-up, or lose him to the Italians. The question is - is he the real deal or not?
If so, go get him; which means deciding, is he a better long-term bet than Heathcote, Leonard, Finn Russell, Alex Blair or Gregor Hunter? It's not as if he's the only young, promising stand-off on the horizon.
I also fear, with all the broo-ha about him and, clearly since he has a competent agent, Murrayfield might be stampeded into making him an offer which might be too-high. Promise is all very well, but, the bars of Scottish clubs are awash with Might Bes, who never delivered.
As for the four B&I Cup sides. I expect Ayr and Gala, who have been there before, to make the most-telling contributions to any Scottish feel-good effect which might accrue, but wouldn't write-off the youthful enthusiasm around Raeburn Place and Bridgehaugh.
But, even with their drafted fringe professionals, our four representatives face really tough matches against better-funded opponents from elsewhere in these islands. As with our pro teams, however, they may well surprise a few along the way.
Let's enjoy the ride, even though it might be a roller-coaster one.
No comments:
Post a Comment