There's Nothing Like A Good Rumour Or Two To Keep The Pot Boiling

REMEMBER, some months back, there were suggestions that the SRU was looking to take a minority stake in Newcastle Falcons. Nobody was able to – as we say in the media - “stand the story up,” so it died a death. We got side-tracked via Nice and Washington, but, apparently the notion of the SRU expanding into Northumberland has not completely died inside Murrayfield.

Might this be Scotland's third pro side?

I am told, some within HQ still believe, Newcastle might be the best fit for a third Scottish professional side. On some levels, it makes sense; there are already a good number of Borders folk who prefer to get their pro rugby fix at Kingston Park on a Friday night, rather than at Murrayfield, while, with the past history: Doddie Weir, Gary Armstrong, Alan Tait, George Graham and today's connection via Gary Graham, John Hardie and on-loan Alex Dunbar, there is a proven history of Jocks doing well for the Geordies.

OK, the English Premiership's 70% English rule is a problem, and maybe not the largest one, but, now that money is increasingly talking, never say never.

Mind you, I still feel, in the long term, the best bet would be for the Irish, Scottish and Welsh Rugby Unions to take the three London-based Exiles clubs into central ownership, and play the London corporate market to fund them in an extended PRO14.

However, with CVC Capital Partners buying into the game – I can still see an NFL-style Pan-European League being formed within the next decade. Apparently, “billions” are coming into the game, which will surely alter its shape for ever.

Of course, if that does happen, where stand our traditional clubs? There is always the chance the millions which the SRU make from the overall billions in the pot, will need to be spread through all sections of the game. No use simply paying the players, and boosting the suits' incomes, if the grass-roots is allowed to wither.

The clubs will really need to start sending awkward bar stewards, with an idea of business, to serve on the Council and Board; guys capable and willing to tell TCD and MH33: “You look at the options, and give us the information which will enable us to make the decisions – because, we represent the clubs, the clubs ARE the SRU and we, on behalf of the clubs, rather than you on behalf of yourself, will make these big decisions.”

That is how things SHOULD be done. It is time we stopped TCD acting as if only he mattered and only he can decide things. He doesn't own Scottish Rugby – he is a servant of the Union.

GLASGOW WARRIORS were quickly out of the traps this morning, with the news tight-head prop Petrus du Plessis had signed a new deal to remain with the club, as specialist scrum coach.

This is a good development. The big South African is maybe the sort of overseas player we ought to be seeking to recruit: a hugely-experienced guy, on the downward slope of his career, but with the technical know-how to pass-on what he has learned to the young Scottish players coming through.

Certainly, he may have to pull-on the Warriors' strip again during the World Cup, but, I am sure his real value will be demonstrated in afternoon sessions with the young Scottish props on the back pitch at Scotstoun.

Somewhat similarly, Lelia Masaga did not set the heather on fire during his short spell with the club. However, he won many admirers and friends with his encouragement of the very-good young backs at Glasgow Hawks, where his on and off-field coaching was much appreciated by everyone.

Still on Glasgow Warriors, centre Stafford McDowall has changed his personal picture on his Facebook account to this:

Am I the only one who thinks Stafford and Robbie Nairn are setting out to become the new Ali Price and Finn Russell?

I HEAR, from some friends in Scottish Athletics, that questions are being asked. I even hear Freedom of Information requests have gone into Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Life, about the relationship between George Square and Murrayfield, and the Warriors.

Scotstoun has been a major athletics venue for longer than it has been a rugby ground. But, with Warriors's success in recent years, both on and off the field, the athletics community in Glasgow, and in particular Victoria Park and City of Glasgow AC, the athletics club based at Scotstoun, are starting to feel they are being side-lined in favour of the rugby team.

Installing additional stands behind the goal takes a large swathe of the state-of-the-art Scotstoun track out of commission at the start of their season; meaning the athletics club is unable to train there fully. Needless to say, the club is not happy at this favouritism, and, who can reasonably blame them.

So, now some in athletics are seeking to find-out why Warriors are being favoured.

 Questions are being asked around Warriors' deal at Scotstoun

Grist was added to the mill last week, with a rumour, which may yet turn out to be “fake news” of a plan to build a new 18,000-seat stadium on the riverside, near the Transport Museum and the SECC, which would be home to Warriors and Partick Thistle.

Now, a new home for Warriors does make sense, given their success in recent seasons. And while some purists might welcome the “Harry Wraggs” returning to Partick from Maryhill, that's the bit of the project which I don't see happening.

Why move from Firhill, which has been Thistle's home for years, and which is adequate for their current and future needs? Why give up the ownership of that ground, to become co-tenants with Warriors in a development which is partly-funded too by the city.

And, even if they were seriously thinking of such a move, can you imagine any way whereby Glasgow City Council could get away by helping-out Thistle with a new stadium, without also spending at least as much, if not more, on the Bigot Brothers, whose uber-entitled fans would be quick to scream “foul” if they thought the Jags were getting something they weren't.

Also, how would a new stadium for Warriors sit with the shambles which is the new Legoland ground for Edinburgh on the Murrayfield back pitches.

No, fake news to me, but, what becomes of the FoI request re Scotstoun might be very interesting.