IT'S THAT time again,
the competitive rugby season kicks-off this afternoon, with the
opening round of matches in the BT Premiership. The Pro12 begins next
weekend, but, in spite of the best efforts of the SRU to wean us off
the club game and onto the delights of professional club rugby, to
the body of the Scottish rugby kirk, the club game is where it is at.
I can maybe see a
slight change to the pecking order this season. Heriot's were the
luckiest team in the world to win the championship trophy last
season. They finished the regular season so far behind Ayr it was
embarrassing. Then they profited from a total brain fart by Currie to
reach the Play-Off final, in which dark forces emerged to gift the
Edinburgh side the trophy after quite the worst and most-biased
display of refereeing I have ever seen at a Scottish game.
Ayr were playing
against 16-men that day back in the spring at Millbrae. The outcome
was a disgrace.
Any way, since then,
Jack Turley and Jason Hill have left Goldenacre. The effect of this
on Heriot's will be extreme. Maybe not as bad as if the Milne
brothers and Andy Irvine had all walked out together, but, getting
that way. If there were two men Phil Smith didn't want to lose, it
was Jack and Jason; without them, Heriot's will struggle.
Ayr are having to
factor-in promoting one or two youngsters, which may tell against
them. Their excellent back row of Blair Macpherson, Will Bordill and
new skipper Pete McCallum are back, but, they lack depth in the front
row, which may be telling. However, with Frazier Climo pulling the
strings, their backs will again be very dangerous and they will be in
the mix.
So too will Currie, who
travel to Millbrae this afternoon. Fergus Scott is back, after an
injury-wrecked spell at Warriors and he will be a key player.
However, Melrose, even
without the iconic John Dalziel coaching, will be most people's
favourites for the title, particularly since Austin Lockington is
back in harness. A couple of seasons ago, when Edinburgh seemed to be
calling the line-outs in Afrikaans, it was said that Lockington, the
only one not on an Edinburgh contract, was the best South African
player in the East of Scotland and the Borders. That tag now rests
with Wilem Nel, but, Austin is barely less-important to his club. The
'Rose will bloom this season.
Elsewhere, it will be
interesting to see how Watsonians go on their return to the top
flight. They have a young and exciting coaching duo in Marcus di
Rollo and big Simon Taylor, while they have recruited well. If their
new squad can gel quickly, things could get exciting around Myreside.
A win over Heriot's today, could kick-start something big for the
newcomers.
Peter Wright is now
coaching Boroughmuir, which means they will be well-organised and, as
ever, stuffy up front. 'Muir were a bit inconsistent last season, if
Peter can sort this out, they could get into the mix. As too could
Glasgow Hawks, they have a youthful coaching pairing in Fin Gillies
and Colin Gregor, and some promising youngsters. As ever, Hawks will
be the “par” team in the league. If you can beat them, you will
be in the title mix; if not, you will struggle.
It is difficult to
forecast a title challenge coming from Mansfield Park and Netherdale.
Gala have a lot of re-building to do, but, their coaching team of
Chris Dalgleish and Opeta Palepoi bleed maroon and will surely get
everything out of their charges.
Hawick too have a
charismatic coaching pairing in Nikki Walker and Scott MacLeod, but,
while the old saw: “Scottish rugby needs a strong Hawick” still
holds good, the depth of talent just is not there. However, if the
wannabees are at less than their best when they travel to Hawick, it
will get painful. And, bad news for Scottish referees, but good news
for opposition fans in search of a pantomime villain to boo – Bruce
McNeil is still playing. I just love Bruce, as an old Ayrshire junior
football friend of mine used to say: “He'd be in my side at
Kilbirnie”. There is no higher praise.
Finally, we come to
Stirling County. The Bridgehaugh production line of exciting young
talent is still churning out good, young players. However, it is a
lack of experience which will, if anything, derail County this
season. If they can keep their squad together for two or three
seasons, they will be genuine contenders, but, for the moment, the
rule laid down by that man from nearby Sauchie holds good.
As Alan Hansen said:
“You win nothing with kids”.
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