The Junta Junkets In Japan

THE PHOTOGRAPH which illustrates this wee story was posted on Facebook by “The Sheik of Shawlands,” SRU past President Ed Crozier, before I unashamedly lifted it.

The Tartan Lads prepare to go on-stage in Nagasaki

It was taken over the weekend in Japan. The grey-haired gentleman in the suit is, Gareth Davies, the former Cardiff and Wales stand-off and by all accounts: "one of the good guys", however, by being photographed with the Three Stooges of the SRU, a man who clearly is prepared to be photographed with any old reprobates.

Question One – do we really need to send the CEO, COO and Chairman on a jolly to the World Cup? I can accept TCD's presence there, but, given President Dee is also there – and rightly so, why are the other two on the voyage?

Question Two – is the tale that the SRU's answer to Lawrence Llewellyn-Bowen has, so far, only changed rooms once true? – Japanese hotel standards must be high, to satisfy Dom so quickly.

I have to, for once, commend TCD, his SRU kilt is the correct length, Army protocol, which is the accepted standard, calls for some skin showing between the top of the stocking and the hem of the kilt. TCD's rig out meets this standard, I fear LL-B and Chairman How (as in how the fuck is he still in post?) are wearing kilts that are too-long.

Shown-up by a Manc – that's a hingin' offence for me.

However, credit where it is due, apparently Chairman How does have his uses. In the official SRU press release, announcing that Dave Denton's concussion issues are so severe, he has accepted medical advice and retired from rugby, Denton himself pays tribute to the help he has received from the Chairman, in seeking to transfer his talents to the world of business.

Dave Denton - concussion issues have forced his immediate retirement

Denton's case again demonstrates the risks we are exposing our top-line players to, and it is good to see the SRU's duty of care extending to opening doors for a man who served Scotland well, so that he can get on with the rest of his life. Denton is only 29, he will be a long time retired.

HAD OLD ABE LINCOLN been Scottish, he'd probably have said something about not pleasing some of the people – ever. There is an element within Scotland whom, to use an old Caledonian phrase: “The win's aye in their face.”

I came across an example of this over the weekend, with some folk moaning about the SRU holding a capping ceremony in Nagasaki. It is one of rugby's great traditions, you only generally get one cap – your first. OK, cap centenarians get an additional one, and rightly so, while separate World Cup caps are awarded, as a tangible demonstration, the owner was considered good enough to represent his country on the global stage.

I have no problems with this, and, being picked for a World Cups squad is a singular honour. So, why not a special ceremony? Also, the SRU putting on a show in Nagaskai is excellent PR.

The Union is often accused of getting things wrong, so, just occasionally, when they get things right, let's enjoy it.

I AM in the middle of pulling together figures as to the number of games not played over the weekend, and of the number of mismatches in those games which were played.

I ams till waiting to get some results confirmed, but, let's say, at the moment, the picture is not a good one. More information to follow.