Fresh Energy As Warriors Get The Power

Zander Fagerson, Pat McArthur, Finn Russell, Alex Dunbar and Leonardo Sarto model the new Warriors' playing kit at the SP Energy launch

GLASGOW WARRIORS today announced that SP Energy Networks is their new principal shirt sponsors. The deal, with the transmission and distribution arm of Scottish Power will last three years, with the Warriors wearing the firm's logo on their shirt fronts.

The new sponsors will also have their name on the community stand at Scotstoun and everyone at the club and the company is delighted to see this tie-up between the club and one of Scotland's top companies.

This community partnership will see SP Energy Networks, the distribution arm of Scottish Power which owns and operates the electricity transmission and distribution network in the area, working with Glasgow Warriors on wide-ranging community events throughout the year.

SP Energy Networks will be heavily involved in match day community activity supporting schools and local clubs, the SP Energy Networks Warriors Championship for schools, and a number of other key initiatives aimed at inspiring the next generation of rugby players from surrounding communities.

Glasgow Warriors Managing Director, Nathan Bombrys said: “Our commitment to representing Glasgow and the West of Scotland is at the heart of the purpose of our club and it’s clear that SP Energy Networks have an even deeper commitment within our community.

“This partnership with SP Energy Networks is an example of how great things can happen when you put a genuine focus on serving your community.

SP Energy Networks Chief Executive, Frank Mitchell said: “We are delighted that Glasgow Warriors will support our focus on community engagement.

“It's vital that we support the communities we serve and we know the profile of the Warriors will give our messages improved resonance with many of them.”

SOME estate agent with too-much time on his or her hands, last week published a map showing the safest places in the UK to live, should nobody be able to rein-in the Donald and Kim Jong Whatshisname, the buttons get pressed and nuclear war breaks out.

I wonder what map of the potential fall-out areas from the SRU's Super Six franchise plan would look like. From what I am hearing the main fall-out areas will be the South and Edinburgh.

The immediate perception following the agm was that Melrose were a shoo-in for the Borders' franchise. Who knows, the gaffers at the Greenyards may well fancy they could and should be the Barons of the Borders, but one or two not-so-young Lochinvar's are, I hear, ready to come out of the dales to thwart this ambition.

Do not be surprised if, should Melrose go-ahead, there is a multi-club rival bid. They take their rugby heritage seriously down there, and the view – if there has to be a franchise based down here, it must be a South franchise, rather than a single-club one - is growing.

Of course, the SRU has not been clear enough in exactly what they want from the proposed franchises. When he announced the Super Six plan at the agm, Mark Dodson did say: “The Franchise process will be explained to the clubs in Autumn 2017.” That clarification is being sought and, I understand it has been proposed that Murrayfield be invited to send down a sacrificial victim – sorry representative or representatives – to explain to the Borders rugby community, just what they want and how they want it to operate.

Mark Dodson - Come Doon Here And Talk Tae Us

But, make no mistake, any Borders or South franchise, would have to be managed by the Borders clubs. I have heard more than once, if the SRU had allowed the locals a say in how the Border Reivers operated, then that failed professional side would have succeeded.

If the new franchises are driven by Murrayfield, they will fail – if the clubs, and in the South that will mean a consortium of clubs, get to run things, it will work.

I am reminded of that line from “Mame”. “You bring the South alive again” - could happen.

Meanwhile, perhaps a bigger storm is brewing in Edinburgh. Basically, everybody hates Heriot's, who would appear to be the single club most-likely to get the Edinburgh franchise, at least if recent success was the criteria.

Except, Goldenacre is a school ground; it isn't really fit for purpose if it was to be the home of a franchised super club, and, the Heriot's core crowd is rather small.

The market in Edinburgh for a super club, pulling-in support from across the city would seem to have been satisfied by the full professional side. Putting in place a downmarket version, “Edinburgh-Lite” would be a mistake.

A Super Six club would not work, I am told. The loyalists will maybe go along to watch the internationalists playing for and against Edinburgh on a Friday night, but will still prefer to watch their own club, even when it is struggling, on a Saturday; rather than watch the best amateurs from each of the city clubs, pulled together into a side which, while better than the other clubs individually, is nowhere near as good as the pro side.

There is a third item to emerge from the proposals, which is worrying some potential franchisees. Mark Dodson said: “Scottish Rugby will also appoint and pay for back room staff such as a head coach, physio, S&C coach and analyst up to a cost of £65k. These individuals will be selected by the governing body from their own performance programme.”

I can see problems arising if Murrayfield has the final say on who coaches where – the clubs will want to appoint a guy they are comfortable with and with whom they have common vision of how they play and where they want to go. Murrayfield control of the coaches is another potential mine field.

 Peter Laverie - faces a tough night on Wednesday

There is a Premiership Forum, a meeting of the current top ten clubs, scheduled for Wednesday night. Oh to be a fly on the wall at that one, since, whether on the agenda or not, the Super Six plan is sure to come up. Peter Laverie, their man on the SRU Board and Council is in for a busy night.