Bad Manners Yes - Bad Governance - Not So Sure

DAVID BARNES, in the normally excellent The Offside Line, yesterday posted a “long read about Friday night's SGM at Murrayfield. In this, big Barney described the evening as a new low in Scottish rugby governance.

Barney is, of course, entitled to his opinion, but, in this case I disagree with the big man. I would argue, it might well be a new low in boorish, bad behaviour. I wasn't there, but several people who were tell me the top table gave the impression of being that bit better than those in the body of he kirk, on whom they looked down.

Well, to me, that's more bad manners than bad governance. The executives and the elected officials are charged with properly running the SRU. They make the decisions, and if the clubs don't like what they are doing, they can, at an AGM or an SGM, win their argument and force through change.

Those clubs and representatives who spoke against the plans of the executive on Friday night, didn't win. And, a partial reason for their non-success was, to use the phrase, shamelessly stolen from Sean Connery's character in "The Untouchables," Boroughmuir member Alistair Munro posted in a btl comment on the TOL website, because: “They took a kitchen knife to a gun fight.”

 The rebels should maybe have got this guy to speak on Friday night

At an AGM or SGM, the Establishment are, initially, in-charge. They set the rules of engagement, they decide who gets to speak, when, and for how long. You have to be positive of your case, not only its veracity, but also in its right. You have to get your tactics correct, and you have to be absolutely up to speed on the organisation's rules which you are invoking or challenging.

Clearly, on Friday night, the opposition failed to do this. What's that old favourite of coaches who pin things up on dressing room walls? Oh! Yes: “Fail to prepare – prepare to fail.”

When it comes to Robert Howat, a gentleman I have never met, but, basing this probably biased view on what I have heard and read about him, in particular through “Russellgate” - the sacking of Keith Russell and its repercussions; I reckon perhaps Steve Coogan wrote a song about him, that one which goes: “Everyone's a bit of a c*nt sometimes:” although perhaps Mr Howat behaves like this more-often than most.

Mr MacColl is an eminent advocate, a QC no less. These learned gentlemen have a reputation for not doing nice – they are paid to win, and tend to go about winning with a determination we ought to be seeing from our international players.

They were never going in to bat on Friday night to win friends, they were going to win the battle – and they did.

My view – bad manners, almost certainly, but, bad governance – I don't necessarily think so.

I STILL do the odd piece for The Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday. To their credit, unlike their supposed rivals at the top of Renfield Street in Glasgow, the dear old Hootsmon titles still treat club rugby as mattering, covering every Premiership game as a matter of course.

They should, to my mind, be doing more club rugby, but, they don't. Which is why I shook my head when I read he online Hootsmon this morning, and saw the excellent Duncan Smith had done a piece on Richard Cockerill's sorrow at the place where his former club Leicester now find themselves – struggling in the foothills of England's Gallacher Premiership.

Of course, Cockerill had a long and largely-successful spell with the club and, yes he must be sad at where they now are.

But, Cockers is now coach of Edinburgh, who have the small matter of a European quarter-final coming up. I want to read about that game in the Hootsmon.

What the fuck has Leicester got to do with Scottish rugby anyway? The Scotsman is no longer a UK “national newspaper,” is is now a Scottish national newspaper. There would be more sales in stories about Super-6 or Scottish club rugby, than about Leicester – I would suggest.

I AM a wee bit late in tackling this story, but, still ahead of the mainstream media in doing so, but, last week, the SRU put-out a press release which didn't attract the media attention I thought it might, and deserved.

Because the Legend that is Ian McLauchlan has finally handed-in his SRU suit and retired to Scottish rugby's equivalent of the House of Lords – the Murrayfield seats reserved for ex-internationalists. “Wee Beastie,” as “Mighty Mouse” is known to those of us in the West who have kent him longest, has given a good half century of service to Scottish Rugby, as fiesty prop, British Lions immortal, national captain, trend-setter in working the corporate entertaining scene, sometimes rugby writer and administrator.

He is in the direct line of influential captains whose influence went beyond the playing field and into the corridors of power – following the likes of Lord Bannerman, Jim Telfer and Sir Ian McGeechan.

As an SRU board member said to me recently: “We will miss the wee bugger, he knew so-much and was a great source of guidance to us.”

Ian went into extra time as a member of the SRU board, serving on the board, as president then ordinary member for a full ten years. With his final retirement as an Independent board member, the SRU has gone through a lengthy process in identifying a replacement. This has resulted in former Olympic fencer Julia Bracewell OBE.

 New SRU board member Julia Bracewell OBE

A former Olympic fencer Julia was a board member of the British Sports Council (1995 – 2001), sportscotland and UK Sport (2005 – 2008) and was awarded an OBE for services to sport in 1999.

A trained barrister Julia brings over 25 years of experience of international business and finance, working with major US and UK law firms, including five years with BP. She currently works for city law firm McCarthy Denning.

Colin Grassie, Chairman of Scottish Rugby said: “I would like to extend my thanks on behalf of everyone associated with rugby in Scotland to Ian for his significant contribution to our game.

“Given his formidable record as a player he has drawn on his considerable experience and generously shared it with both his colleagues on the Board and many others associated with the game, at every level.

“He has been a forthright, diligent Board member and worked selflessly to help improve Scottish rugby. Ian has helped shape our recent successes, both on and off the pitch, and leaves with our full gratitude and thanks.”

The new, improved SRU website also includes an interview with the Wee Man. Kudos to whichever of the elves wrote this, there is hope for the SRU media department yet, if they continue to do such pieces.

Do read it if you get the chance. Meanwhile, I am sure we will continue to see Wee Beastie around Scottish Rugby, I am certain.