SCOTLAND'S still-extended World Cup squad reconvenes at BT Murrayfield this morning, when the real work of the World Cup campaign begins.
Meanwhile, across at Scotstoun, the rump of the Glasgow squad will be working away towards the most-difficult part of their season - keeping the club in the mix at the top of the 2015-16 Pro12, until the internationalists return post-World Cup.
Sadly for Glasgow, one potential new recruit will be elsewhere. Winger Teqele Naiyaravaro will not be arriving at Scotstoun any time soon. Indeed, I now feel, we will not see Naiyaravaro in Glasgow's colours any time soon, if ever.
Over the weekend he was named in the Australian squad for the Rugby Championship, and having made it to the final 31, it is well-nigh inconceivable that he will not be capped by Australia during the Championship. It is also highly-likely, once capped, that he will be seen in gold during the World Cup itself.
And, if (more likely now, when), he is tied to Australia - he will not be joining Glasgow.
This is bad news for Glasgow, but, if he rampages over a couple of the Lilywhites for a try or two during the World Cup, on the basis of being a member of ABE - I will forgive him.
It will be disappointing, if we never see Naiyaravaro in pale blue, but, in the grand scheme of things - it isn't a Mo Johnson moment.
Our first warm-up game, against the Irish in Dublin, is a mere five weeks away - the start of the World Cup itself, ten weeks away. This period will flash past. It is now all go.
THE kick-off in the domestic leagues is a mere seven weeks away. Pre-season warm-up games will, therefore, start in about four weeks. So, our top amateur players are now preparing for the fray.
Doesn't time fly when you are enjoying yourselves.
ONE thing Scottish Rugby didn't need at this stage in the pre-season preparations was a drugs bust. But, it got one, with this morning's press release from the SRU, intimating the two-year ban given to Preston Lodge prop Darren Eales, after he failed an out-of-training drugs test back in November.
Eales is only 22, young in propping terms. It is a personal tragedy for this young man, that he should feel it necessary to take artificial and banned supplements. But, he has been caught and punished - one can only hope the message gets through.
He is the second Scottish player to be caught. This should not give the impression that there is a drugs culture in Scottish Rugby, perish that thought. But, the good news is - we are catching them and punishing them.
Drugs - it's a mug's game. The only drugs props needed in my day were various brands of beer or lager - rugby was fun then.
ONE thing Scottish Rugby didn't need at this stage in the pre-season preparations was a drugs bust. But, it got one, with this morning's press release from the SRU, intimating the two-year ban given to Preston Lodge prop Darren Eales, after he failed an out-of-training drugs test back in November.
Eales is only 22, young in propping terms. It is a personal tragedy for this young man, that he should feel it necessary to take artificial and banned supplements. But, he has been caught and punished - one can only hope the message gets through.
He is the second Scottish player to be caught. This should not give the impression that there is a drugs culture in Scottish Rugby, perish that thought. But, the good news is - we are catching them and punishing them.
Drugs - it's a mug's game. The only drugs props needed in my day were various brands of beer or lager - rugby was fun then.
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