I MISSED Friday night's Under-20 match, but, I always fancied this was one we were fated to lose heavily. Take it on the chin, accept it as a learning experience and move on – that's my opinion.
Our young player development system in Scotland is so skewed towards what suits a handful of private schools and, in any case is so under-funded, unless there is a major switch of direction, I can only see disaster for Scotland for the next decade or so.
SATURDAY'S diet of back-to-back rugby kicked off in Durban, with Cell C Sharks v Ulster, and an excellent win for the Belfast Boys. It was cracking entertainment, featuring two teams wanting to win and kudos to Ulster for winning it.
This game was a view of the future – the crowd, in tee-shirts or skimpy vests and shorts – quaffing lagers pitch side. A pitch side swimming pool for the kids – that's the sort of summer rugby I could embrace and I hope somebody influential at Ayr was watching. There are some ideas there for the re-development of Millbrae.
A bonus from the match was the excllent performance of match referee Sam Grove-White, who was at the top of his game. I also enjoyed his chats with “Meners” as big Andy McMenemy, the TMO, (pictured), is now apparently known in refereeing circles. I reckon Andy is one of the better “van men” in the game and he doesn't get the credit he is due.
NEXT up was Lions v Warriors and acute disappointment. This was a game Warriors could and should have won. For long periods they played the better rugby but, a plethora of silly errors proved their undoing.
The Lions swooped on these mistakes to score some long-distance breakaway tries while too-many Warriors' attacking surges withered on the vine of a lack of support.
Still, in any lengthy campaign, there will always be setbacks and, if as they should, Warriors get back to winning ways next time out, this speed bump will be forgotten. At least, they escaped with one losing bonus point.
If you look at their remaining fixtures, Glasgow's visit to Thomond Park to face Munster on 25 March now has the look of a cup final about it.
It was good to see Allan Dell back in action on Saturday. He could be a handy guy to have around in the run-in.
FROM Jo'burg it was on to Cardiff, for Wales v England and proof, these just might be the two worst teams in the Guinness Six Nations. Warren Gatland's face whenever we got a shot of the coaches' boxes seemed to say: “Why did I ever agree to come back here.”
Wales really are in a bad way, while England are little better. That England full back Freddie Steward should get Man of the Match, for catching high balls said it all. This was mince.
IF ENGLAND v Wales was mince, France v Scotland was Filet Mignon. There is no shame in losing in Paris to a French team that is that good; however, it was disappointing that we didn't get at least a losing bonus.
It was a game we might have won, but not perhaps, one we should have won. OK, the Grand Slam has gone, however, with home advantage, against the Irish, we can still win a Triple Crown.
In the end, our mistakes were more-costly than their errors. We gave it our best shot, but, in the final analysis, the better team won.
I thought Huw Jones had arguably his best game for Scotland. OK, the home television station gets to award the Man of the Match, so they give it to a home player. However, had it been a British decision – 'Shuggie' would have got the call.
The Gallus One was just himself. He didn't let that interception put him off, he kept trying things and made amends with his try. We are lucky to have him.
FINALLY, a veteran former player turned administrator, whose experience of top-level Scottish Rugby goes back to the 1960s has never deviated from his belief that: “Scottish Rugby needs a strong Hawick.”
Gone are the days when excellence in a green jersey leads to getting to wear a navy blue one, but, to old-timers like me, it was great to see The Green Machine going through the Tennent's Premiership season unbeaten, along the way setting a new record for successful defences of The Bill McLaren Shield.
I can now see The Robbie Dyes clinching a league and cup double between now and the end of the season.
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