A Flurry Of Signings for Super-6 But Still All Quiet In The Capital

AS I HAVE been saying since TCD first sprung Super-6 on an unsuspecting world back at the 2018 AGM – if any organisation can totally fuck-up what is an idea worth trying, it would be the SRU.

The big announcement – of the six playing squads, is due to be made tomorrow – Wednesday, which has meant some of the clubs being forced to re-jig the programme they had come-up with to drip-feed the signings and create a bit of interest.

So, last night, and again today, some of the clubs have been announcing a raft of new signings, proving, when it comes to media relations and creating a demand for a product, the SRU could not run a menauge.

Ayrshire Bulls made a further four signing announcements on Monday night – bringing their squad total up to 23, with the remaining names due to be announce during today. The four names released yesterday were those of two old favourites: Grant Anderson and Danny McCluskey – both of whom were key men in last season's double-winning team. Anderson, who it seemed was about to depart Millbrae in a blaze of glory at the end of last season, has been persuaded back by the chance to be part of the new tier of rugby. Already Ayr's most-honoured player, he is keen for at least one season in S6.

McCluskey, who was Ayr's vice-captain last season and led the side in several games when Pete McCallum was unavailable, has steadily established himself as a key man for his only club, for whom he has played since his days in mini-rugby.

The first of the new names announced last night was former Leeds Beckett University and England Students back three player Chester Duff. Originally from Heathfield, in East Sussex, 22-year-old Duff is Scotland-qualified through his grand-parents.

The second newcomer announced is Australian hooker Sam Kitchen. From Sydney, Duff is a Shute Shield winner with Northern Suburbs, and has played for the Sydney Rays in Australia's National Rugby Championship.

Sam Kitchen

Bulls' Head Coach Peter Murchie said of the new signings: “Grant has been perhaps the most-successful player in Ayr's history, so we are delighted to have his experience available to us, while Danny was one of our most-consistent players last season. I am delighted both have agreed to play for the Bulls.

“As for the new boys: Chester is a strong-running wing or full-back, who knows his way to the line, and, being Scotland-qualified is a bonus; while Sam has a great skills set and I am sure he will fit in well to how we play.”

Bulls are planning to announce further signings before the SRU launch tomorrow.

SOUTHERN KNIGHTS also released a raft of signings last night. The four new players they named are all, however, weel-kent faces around The Greenyards, having played for Melrose. They are: Gavin Woods, Callum Crookshanks, Mak Wilson and Harri Morris.

Wood has come through the ranks at the club since first playing aged five. He has been a squad member since making his first team debut in 2015. Crookshanks joined the club when in the first year at Earlston High School and has come through the ranks to make his first team bow in 2016. His Melrose experience was also expanded when he spent a season in New Zealand, playing for Southbridge RFC.

Former Scotland Age Group cap, prop Wilson, joined 'Rose from Duns in 2017. He played for Scotland Under-20 in the 2018 World Cup. Morris began playing rugby at Southport, but, when his family moved to Scotland, he won Scotland Under-18 caps at George Watson's, prior to linking-up with Melrose in 2018.

The new signings take the Knights squad up to 33 of the 35 they are allowed. These players are: Craig Jackson (Captain), Grant Shiells (Co-vice-captain) Fraser Thomson (Co-vice-captain), Andrew Nagle, Finlay Scott, Fraser Renwick, Dalton Redpath, Jacob Henry, Nathan Sweeney, Bruce Colvine, Angus Runciman, Struan Hutchison, Murdo McAndrew, Ruaridh Knott, Neil Irvine Hess, Alan Gregory, Ciaran Whyte, Dylan Taylor, Iain Moody, Russell Anderrson, James Head, Rory Darge, Shaun Gunn, Iain Sim, Patrick Anderson, Tom Galbraith, Ewan McQuillin, Michael Mvelase-Julyan, Connor Young, Gavin Wood, Callum Crookshanks, Mak Wilson, Harri Morris.

Ewan McQuillin is back at The Greenyards with Southern Knights

OF COURSE, the big reveal will hopefully finally answer the $64,000 question – are there 105 Super-6 quality players in Edinburgh? There has been absolute silence from the three capital clubs involved, tomorrow will tell us much.

As I have long said, Super-6 is basically an idea thrown together by the SRU to save their own erses, once they realised they were unable/unwilling to set-up and support a proper development bridge between the club game and the two professional sides. It cannot be as-good as having at least one more full-time professional side, under-pinned by three or better still four semi-pro development sides.

But, if the six clubs could have been seen as “District” teams in all but name, I think it could still work – I certainly believe at least the three provincial sides are going down that route.

Three clubs in Edinburgh will never work, however, and that is Super-6's Achilles Heel.

But, TCD and The Junta have decided to, in the words of Jean-Luc Picard to: “make it so.” They will, as TCD has been almost sincethe plan's inception – absent from direct press questioning, when the big player reveal takes place tomorrow.

Good luck to the clubs and players, but, my gut feeling is still – the SRU couldnae run a gird, or a bath for my younger readers.