The Naysayers Won't LIke It, But S6 Is Here To Stay

THAT GREAT friend and reader of this blog, TCD, held a press briefing on Thursday. Once again, Aristotle didn't make the cut of acceptable journalists, allowed to hear first-hand, the thoughts of oor ain Ayatollah. Never mind, I have grown accustomed to being overlooked by The Junta. However, for their information, I have not gone away during lockdown, merely decided, since I have nothing meaningful to add to what little debate there is ongoing, I will simply haud ma wheesht.

I was pleased to see him mention the FOSROC Super6, and confirm the unloved child of Scottish Rugby still has a place in the grand scheme of things, and a future. I still maintain, in the “new normal” of the post-pandemic world, S6 will become increasingly important to the good health of Scottish Rugby. If Murrayfield gets it right.

Indeed, if they don't make the necessary changes to the general format of our game, well, we will be at the furthest extreme of Shit Creek, without a paddle. I am increasingly coming to the conclusion, the template we ought to be looking at is -

• A pyramid, with the Scotland team at the top (Level 1)

• Three full-time pro teams: Edinburgh, Glasgow, London Scottish (Level 2)

• Super 10 – semi-pro teams (Level 3)

• District Leagues – with players allowed reasonable expenses (Level 4)

• The Community game, strictly amateur, playing in more-localised leagues (Level 5)

I would suggest the community game plays to amended Laws, designed to encourage running rugby and dissuade bissh-bash-bosh type brute force and ignorance rugby.

There is strong anecdotal evidence, that PRO14 sponsors Guinness, would be over the moon if they could see a PRO14 side playing in London. I gather some of the power brokers at Scottish have been sounded-out about becoming that team and the vibes are positive. However, there are some obstacles to overcome, not least, where they will play now they will be leaving Richmond Athletic Ground.

I hear, if it happens, it could take as long as three or four years to bring everything together.

I have always felt, the long-term aim of S6 was to expand this league. The fall-out from the pandemic may actually hasten this, but, if/when we go to Super10, they will need to go about it with a bit more control and good sense than they showed with S6.

Ideally, S10 will see:

• One team in the North Region

• One team in the Midland Region

• Two teams in Edinburgh and the Lothians

• Three teams in the West of Scotland

• Three teams in the Borders

I do not see club rugby, below S6, resuming any time soon, indeed, it could well be Spring 2021 before full-blown club rugby resumes. Initially, we will probably see it resuming at District level, and, I am certain, if the proposed District Leagues, which is wher we will probably restart, are as successful as they could be, well that will surely strengthen the hands of those, and you can count me int his group, who see fewer National leagues and a more District-focussed club game, as the way forward.

But, that's just my view, I am sure there will be plenty of differing opinions out there.

SPEAKING of the machinations of TCD and The Junta. Is it only me, or, is anyone else wondering what all they are seeking to hide with their carry-on over the AGM?

I have raised the point repeatedly, if football's Old Firm, with their hundreds of small shareholders, can successfully hold their annual meetings inside the 60,000-capacity Celtic Park, and the 50,000-capacity Ibrox Stadium, why cannot they – even allowing for social distancing restrictions, hold the SRU's annual meeting inside the 67,500-capacity BT Murrayfield.

Given the bad press they have had over the past couple of years, surely the SRU could have held this year's meeting, with the delegates in the main stand and the high heid yins under a gazebo, on the pitch. Their failure to make these arrangements reinforces my belief – they are trying to hide something.