I Can Think Of Someone More-Deserving Of A Red Card Than Brendan McGroarty

THE big incident during Saturday's BT Premiership programme was the utterly-ridiculous red-carding of Hawks' Brendan McGroarty at Ayr. I have no idea what the SRU's disciplinary panel will make of this, but, natural justice demands McGroarty is immediately free to resume playing, with the sending-off considered sufficient punishment.

The referee clearly boobed, admit this and pass on is my suggestion.

Of greater concern for anyone who has the good of Scottish rugby at heart is the ongoing saga of matches not being played – usually, but not always, because of a lack of front row players.

On of the minor players in Scottish rugby's media pack takes on the not-inconsiderable task of collating all the results. Big job, boring job, but, somebody has to do it, and, if he's doing this, he is not demonstrating his lack of ability to write cohesive match reports.

Each week he has tales of woe of matches not being played, usually for the front row issue mentioned above. This season already, we have seen National League games unplayed, while some clubs are struggling to field even a 2^nd XV in Resrve Leagues.

I had a look at the club results on the SRU website this morning. Across the entire list of leagues on the site, 14 matches were not played, for various reasons. Most of these, it has to be said, were low down the leagues, while a couple of them were 2^nd or 3^rd XVs meeting – because they play in what should be a “1^st XV league”.

But, this still equates to some 500 guys, who wanted to play rugby on a Saturday, not getting a game. If one game becomes two or three, some of the less-committed will drift away from the game. I already know, there are less guys simply playing for fun. When I joined Ayr back in 1968, they fielded five teams every week, some weeks six - 1^st XV, 2^nd XV A1 XV, A2 XV and 3^rd XV; the likes of Glasgow Accies Glasgow High School and West of Scotland fielded even more.

Today, Ayr fields a 1^st XV and a 2^nd XV, while the Millbrae XV caters for the play for fun guys. I accept, that particular club has a strong youth section, but, the drop-out rate between Under-18 and adult rugby is still considerable.

This needs seriously addressing by Murrayfield. Ayr, as a club, works hard at youth development and is in many ways an example to all. Quite how some other clubs continue to field teams is a mystery to me and a credit to their club officials.

Broadening the game's reach and increasing its depth is supposed to be one of Murrayfield's key functions. But, when you have a Director of Rugby, such as our current incumbent – The Lesser Spotted Johnston – who doesn't appear to know we have a strong club rugby scene, well, it isn't going to happen. And, if HQ will not nurture and grow the game, it will die.

Some club supporters are to be found, in the below the line comments section of The Scotsman's website, bemoaning the fact their particular club never seems to be allocated an available pro from Edinburgh or the Sevens squad on a Saturday, while overlooking the fact rugby appears to be dying in that particular toon, where once the game was king.

Help yourselves first, don't blame it all on Murrayfield, say I; while remembering the wise words of a certain coach/broadcaster, who is usually Wright in what he says: “Edinburgh will let you have a player, provided you send him back fit to hold a tackle bag on Monday morning”.

Maybe Dunky Hodge can change this attitude, but, it has to be said, Glasgow is far-more willing to release players to the clubs than Edinburgh. Mind you, I have noticed, some professionals really buy into playing for their drafted club while others, even experienced Scotland players, seem to deem it beneath them to have to play in the Premiership, and go through the motions.

You might think, 21 years after the game went professional, Murrayfield would have it sorted out and functioning properly, but, sadly, it has not.

Good Start, But, The Trick Is Keeping It Going

FOR ONCE, both Edinburgh and Glasgow have got off to good starts in Europe. Edinburgh were always expected to beat their Challenge Cup opponents from Romania, but, we have seen the capital side slip on such banana skins before.

It says much for the new attitudes Duncan Hodge is fostering at Murrayfield, that he could field such an inexperienced side and still win as handsomely as they did. This has been a good start for the capital side.

I must admit, however, I took a particular joy from watching Glasgow demolish Leicester on BT Sport. The arrogance of the London-based on-screen team, sent north to chronicle the mighty Tigers putting “the Sweaties” in their place was crying-out to be debunked, and it was, in spades.

Of course, had Matt To'omau received the red card his disgraceful tip tackle on Finn Russell deserved - and we can only hope the French citing officer did not leave his cojones in France and does his job, so he may yet receive the correct punishment – then Leicester would have had the excuse they needed. They would have squealed from the roof tops.

To be fair, Richard Cockerill, not my favourite DoR didn't try to take the gloss off Glasgow's win, well, not on Friday anyway. I await tomorrow's Leicester Mercury with interest.

Glasgow's problem now is, they have set the bar high and cannot duck under it. They have bested top English clubs at Scotstoun before, and not qualified for the knock-out stages. A wee win in Munster, which is not the near Mission Impossible it once was, plus continuing angst for a misfiring Racing 92 and who knows. The talent is certainly there at Scotstoun to go a long way this season.

Good start, now, let's keep it up.

I WAS at Millbrae on Saturday for the West Coast Derby between Ayr and Hawks, two of the three most-exciting teams in this season's BT Premiership. It was a good game, but, sadly, not as good as it might have been, thanks to a refereeing howler which was, in its own way, every bit as bad as Msr Raynal's failure to red card To'omau on Friday night.

On Saturday afternoon, Keith Allen did produce his wee red oblong, and show it to Hawks' Brendan McGroarty, for a tackle on Scott Sutherland. Now, let's leave asid the fact big “Queenie” is at least six inches taller and three stones heavier than the not-inconsiderable Brendan. Queenie went down like a sack of spuds being thrown to the ground, rather than a sack of tatties being tipped out.

I thought at the time: “penalty only, if a yellow, a soft one”. I could not believe it when the red card was produced. If Raynal was guilty of dereliction of duty, then Allen was over-zealous in the extreme. Will we ever get consistency of refereeing?

The red card ruined a game which was nicely-poised. Given the head of steam their pac had built-up I still fancy Ayr would have won, even allowing for Hawks' later, deserved yellow card for Junior Bulumakau. The Millbrae Men were the sharper outfit all game, but, how Hawks must be ruing the handling errors which cost them at least five possible tries.

And watch out for Ayr's latest New Zealand import, young Ruaridh Mackenzie, son of former Soutars and Scotland prop Gregor. He is here on a partnership agreement between Ayr and Warriors, which means he trains at Scotstoun, but plays at Millbrae. In 15 minutes on Saturday, he looked like the real deal.

I MISSED the monthly GROGS lunch at Braidholm on Wednesday, but I am told wee Rob Robertson of the Daily Mail wowed the old buffers, not least by asking if anyone in the company – which includes some of the longest-serving and most-influential committee-men in the West – had spotted “the Lesser-Spotted Johnston” outwith Murrayfield.

I have heard no better description of our National Director of Rugby, brilliant Rob.

Solly Going Had To Happen, But Was This The Best Time for It?

There have surely been quieter weeks in Scottish Rugby. Not a lot has happened this week, but, what has happened has been significant, not least with the departure of Alan Solomons from his job with Edinburgh.

For a time, “Solly” has been a veritable dead man walking. Edinburgh simply was not working and perhaps he should have been let go at the end of last season, it might have given the new man time to set-up the club for the new season, instead, Duncan Hodge, or whoever gets the job, will have to fire-fight on two fields: sorting-out the second half of the season, while planning for a better 2017-18.

Who might the new man be? It is anyone's guess, but, as I have said before – Stuart Lancaster has Scottish experience and might be gettable. But, maybe some of the younger Scottish coaches deserve a chance to show what they can do.

However, there is the additional complication, also revealed this week, that the SRU is seeking outside investment in the two pro teams. IF someone is interested in investing in Edinburgh – how much of a say will they want in who gets the coaching job? We live in interesting times indeed.

If outside investment happens, and the clubs will be put under enormous pressure from the Murrayfield “suits” to allow this, perhaps the time has come for central playing contracts, if only to guard the Union's investment in the players. This, and several other issues will have to be raised.

I also hope, at the extraordinary meeting, the Premiership clubs push for some action on the long discussed semi-pro league. Now, this really is a hot potato, but, I think it has to happen.

Sorting-out clear guidelines between the top club sides and the two pro teams has to be a priority. There is already enough talk about some clubs having otherwise idle pros in their match-day squads; now we have the situation whereby the pro clubs are borrowing Premiership players, with Matt Fagerson and Rob McAlpine involved at Newport tonight.

Such traffic would be better-controlled with proper up and down protocols in place, and a more-professional Premiership.

SPEAKING of the Premiership, after last week's big battle at Millbrae, tomorrow's fixtures, on paper, lack lustre. That is not to say the capacity for shocks is not there. It will be interesting to see how Ayr go at Meggatland, without Rob McAlpine, against a Boroughmuir pack who will thoroughly examine the credentials of the Alloway side's pack.

Can Hawick kick-on from last week's maiden win, at Old Anniesland, against a Hawks side starting to realise a top four finish is well within their grasp, and, how will Watsonians fare in the maroons battle at Netherdale? The Premiership is a cracking contest and, tomorrow's games are anything but mundane looking – give it a try.

ON THAT same subject – trying things. Can this site blow a trumpet for another new rugby website. If you have not yet seen David Barnes's excellent theoffsideline.com – why not. For my money, this is the best rugby website in Scotland, give it a go, you will not be short-changed. It is a terrific place for news and comment on Scottish rugby.

What Is Going To Be Done About Edinburgh?

WHAT are we going to do about Edinburgh? Given the rugby culture in our capital city, given the fact increasingly, the bright lights of Auld Reekie is a magnet for the ambitious young players from Scottish rugby's Borders heartland, Edinburgh and not Glasgow should be Scotland's leading club – but, they are struggling, and have been for some time.

Alan Solomons' vision for the club is of a hard core of talented young Scots, supplemented by overseas professionals. The talented young Scots are there, albeit a wee bit away from being fully-mature, but, quite frankly, the overseas professionals – WP Nel and John Hardie, and to a lesser degree Phil Burleigh and Cornell du Preez, simply have not cut the mustard.

I don't know what the trouble is. Certainly, they are currently suffering badly from injuries to key players, but, it seems to me, there simply isn't the same culture of winning and improving at Murrayfield that there is at Scotstoun. I don't think Solomons is getting 100% from all his players, indeed, I feel a good number are “coasting”, safe in the knowledge, they will continue to be picked, regardless of how they perform.

It cannot help that they are playing at Murrayfield, a ground which is soulless when not in international use – maybe the switch to Myreside will add atmosphere, but, not if the team continues to struggle.

I think, we must, in some ways reluctantly, summon a taxi for Mr Solomons. But, who will replace him? Well, in the short-term, why not ask Vern Cotter to double-up, while he works his notice? At the very least, it would get him back into the swing of daily coaching, ready for his next job after Scotland.

MEANWHILE, the dust is still settling on that epic encounter between Glasgow and Ulster on Friday night. This was indeed brutal stuff, with an injured Glasgow just falling short against opponents who will, like Glasgow, be right in the title mix at the end of the season.

Glasgow were, of course, handicapped by injuries, particularly in the back row, but, at least, the youngsters learned at the coal face, how hard this league is.

That said, I feel the much-maligned Pro12 referees really have to get a grip on the Irish sides' and Ulster are not the only villains in this, and their illegalities at the breakdown. Ulster, like Leinster, Connacht and Munster, have developed a counter-rucking game which repeatedly sees them taking out players well beyond the actual ruck, and generally getting away with it.

Ian Henderson took-out Tommy Seymour well past the breakdown, and rightly was yellow-carded. Indeed, at Ayr on Saturday, some were arguing it should have been a red. However, repeatedly during the match, Ulster men were hitting the rucks, from an angle, and making no-arms charges in to Glasgow players, there quite legally – and getting away with it.

Stronger policing of the rucks please referees. I heard one or two old rugby men, at Ayr on Saturday, saying if they had sons just starting out in rugby, they would have concerns, such is the ferocity of the rucking today.

Of course, as I have been saying for at least the last 20-years – the quicker they bring back real rucking, with the necessity of playing the ball with a foot, the better for the game. With today's all-seeing tv eyes, the head-kickers would soon be eliminated and we would see a faster, cleaner game.

AYR v Melrose on Saturday was, in spite of the terrible conditions, a tremendous advert for the much-maligned BT Premiership. Two good sides, giving it their all for 80 minutes, with the result in doubt right until the end. What more could you want from a league game?

Ayr might, with a bit more composure first-half, have won by a greater margin, but, they could never shake-off a determined 'Rose, who scored one of the great break-out tries to break the deadlock. A pity, for the whole game, that Fraser Thomson tweaked a hamstring in the move, his exciting incursions from the back are always worth the admission money. Also, Austin Lockington, another Melrose back who makes things happen, never seemed to recover from one storming tackle from Craig Gossman, who must, pound-for-pound, be the fiercest tackler in Scotland.

Big Rob McAlpine divides opinions at Millbrae. When he first broe through with West of Scotland, we thought – this kid could go places. However, he seemed to lose his way when drafted to Edinburgh, while he has long-established medical problems which need careful monitoring.

However, when he is right, as he was on Saturday, he is a formidable presence. He trucked-up in the loose, but, he began, in the second half, to read the Melrose line-out and on several occasions, he pirated Melrose line-out possession in dangerous positions deep in the home 22.

Rob was one of several Ayr players to catch the eye. Young, newly-recruited Stage One development player, 18-year-old Stafford McDowall,just weeks out of Merchiston, did well at centre. He's a big lad, who has a real future as a rucking focal point.

Stafford is from Stewartry, as is Ayr scrum-half David Armstrong, who, week by week, grows in stature and, for my money, right now he is the best nine in the Premiership.

Not that the eye-catching displays on Saturday were all on the home side. Neil Irvine-Hess is one of the quiet men of the Premiership, but, his value to Melrose is immense. Nothing flashy about “Nellie”, he simply goes about his business with the minimum of fuss and the maximum of success. Every team should have one.

Finn Sharp On His Comeback

THE much-maligned BT Premiership got more than its usual amount of media coverage this week, mainly because Finn Russell made his comeback, following his horrendous head knock against Connach last season, by turning out at stand-off for Ayr at Hawick.

Happily, this gave Finn a chance to line-up alongside wee brother Archie, for the first time; Ayr's win was a bonus for the Russells. The game also brought a rare sighting of Vern Cotter at a Premiership match, the demob-happy Scotland coach was there, as was successor Gregor Townsend, who has better cause to be checking out his play-maker's progress.

I was elsewhere, but, caught the game on Scottish Rugby's You Tube channel. Finn played well, he didn't shirk the physical stuff – any ten willing to tackle the rampaging Bruce McNeil has to be up for the challenge, mainly kicked beautifully and made one or two trademark snipes.

I do not, however, think he is yet 100%. Finn has adopted the Peter Cech ploy of donning a scrum cap, as perhaps mental underpinning after his knock. I sensed, from the number of times he was seen to tug at it, or take it off and put it back on, getting used to wearing it, to the extent he does not notice, may be Finn's biggest problem. I would suggest, he might even be better not wearing it.

The Scottish Rugby TV coverage was quite good, injured Ayr captain Pete McCallum was in good form as a summariser and, there were some fine passages of play. On this form, the Green Machine is starting to find its feet, but, there are one or two in there who would never have got near a green shirt in years past.

I was at Old Anniesland, where Hawks brought Watsonians down to earth with a bang. One Edinburgh commentator tried to make much of Hawks having three full-time professionals to 'Sonians' one – totally overlooking the fact it was the Glasgow youngsters who made the difference. George Horne and Grant Stewart were stick-outs for Hawks, while Kerr Gossman's try for them some 70 seconds into the second half was a thing of outrageous class and beauty.

Saturday was my first in the flesh look at new Warrior Tijuee Uanivi, who was playing lock for Hawks. He didn't impose himself on the game, but, Leone Nakarawa had a couple of outings for Hawks when he first arrived, without giving any indication of what a great player he was, so, here's hoping with “Chewy”, as the Namibian has been christened.

This coming week sees THE biggest match of the season so far, when leaders Melrose travel to second-placed Ayr. It is maybe a bit early to dub this a title decider, but, these two sides are already the likeliest to win the Premiership. It should be an epic.

GLASGOW, are having a bit of a back-row crisis, they were so-stretched, 18-year-old Matt Fagerson was with the squad in Cardiff as cover. Losing narrowly to a resurgent Cardiff is no disgrace, and, the secret in this league is making these losses rarities.

Edinburgh, meanwhile, continue to infuriate. There is something seriously wrong at that club just now. They never looked like beating Leinster, who, now they have Stuart Lancaster backing-up the relatively inexperienced Leo Cullen in the coaches' box, will be real contenders this season.

Save Our Club Game From Murrayfield's Indifference

I WAS speaking to a fellow scribbler over the weekend about the state of Scottish Rugby. But, unlike most of our colleagues, certainly in the mainstream papers, we don't draw a line under the Pro12 and think anything below that is irrelevant – we know there is more to the game as a whole than Glasgow and Edinburgh.

My fellow hack performs one of the most-difficult and onerous tasks in covering the game – he collates results from club rugby and feeds them to the papers. Now, once you get down the divisions, away from the Premiership and National Leagues, this becomes increasingly difficult. In the bottom District leagues, some of the clubs don't even have clubhouses, so, you rely on knowing which pub the team will be in, or, which cub official has his mobile phone with him, and was actually at the game, and is sober-enough to give you the result.

Then, there is the odd idiot who, when his team loses, thinks it is clever to give you the wrong result!!

Any way, my friend has noticed, this season, is is becoming evident, we have a minor players crisis here in Scotland. At the weekend, it was bad enough that Gala had to call-off their 2^nd XV fixture with Ayr, due to an insufficiency of front row players, even worse that Livingston, in National League 3 should seek a postponement, for the same reason. And, further down the leagues, this is a regular problem.

But, you will not find this mini-crisis taxing the brains of the SRU Board or Council too long. As one rugby man, not unfamiliar with the upper echelons of Murrayfield said – adding do not quote me in such a way as this gets back, but: “They don't give a shit about the club game”.

Well, if he could not say that openly, I can. The club game, the backbone of Scottish rugby, is being treated shamefully by the High Heid Yins at HQ.

MARK Dodson, the CEO of Scottish Rugby is an acquired taste. He has done, and continues to do, some good things, but, he is not above criticism.

His ears were probably burning today. Way back, last year, he was booked for one of the most-prestigious gigs in rugby, when he agreed to address the first Season 2016-17 monthly lunch of the GROGS – the Glasgow Rugby Old Geezers, at Braidholm.

Dodson called-off two weeks ago, citing a very important clashing meeting. Well, this GROG is not convinced. He maybe heard, some of our Anniesland Division, were ready to ask him some tough questions. Hopefully he will grow a pair and appear, there is still one vacancy late-on in the season.

Henry Pyrgos stepped-in at short notice and left the old buggers happy with his performance.

BY THE WAY – the excellent Lloyd Linton has already, two weeks into the new Pro12 season, refereed two games – the same total as he managed in the whole of last season. Lloyd is again in the middle this coming weekend, so, hopefully, our referees - several others of whom are either on a line or on TMO or citing duties – are now, at long last, starting to get a fairer crack of the appointments whip.

Edinburgh - A Suitable Case For Treatment

WHAT are we going to do about Edinburgh? That would appear to be the main talking point for the High Heid Yins of the SRU this week.

We have had the musical chairs surrounding the Glasgow and Scotland Head Coach jobs, but, nothing at all about Edinburgh. While Glasgow got off to an absolute flyer, beating Connacht in Galway, Edinburgh's Pro12 opener in Cardiff was a case of woe, woe and thrice woe.

OK, Alan Solomons has a plan, he is seeking to leave a legacy of good, young, Scottish talent at the club. Sure, in Blair Kinghorn, Damien Hoyland, Chris Dean, the three young scrum-halves and a clutch of promising young forwards – Magnus Bradbury, Jamie Ritchie, Rory Sutherland, Jack Cosgrove and Co the basis is there, but, something is missing.

I have, on the few occasions I have spoken to him, found Solomons a decent man, and he is clearly a good coach. However, I fear, he may now be past his sell-by date for Edinburgh. Of course, that club's problems go deeper than merely under-performing in the Pro12, but, if results do not pick-up quickly, it may well be time to summon a taxi for Solomons and to give one of the thrusting young Scottish coaches now making a name for themseves, a chance at the big time.

THE PROBLEM is, of course, we don't have the third pro team we need to provide the platform for our coaches and young players. The long-touted semi-professional Premiership might help this. Ayr, Melrose, Heriot's and now Watsonians are probably already semi-professional, but, some of the other Premiership clubs have a way to go.

It doesn't help make a case for such a league when you hear of the losses some of the clubs made last season – one Borders club in particular running a near six-figure deficit over the season, if rumours are true. Can the SRU afford the subsidy which will be necessary to get the semi-pro clubs running effectively? Are the potential sponsors there, for clubs in a league which doesn't get the publicity the level of play merits.

Of course, the farce of withdrawing from the British & Irish Cup, then dangling the carrot of an Italian-Scottish Cup, before withdrawing that doesn't help.

When are Mr Dodson and the other High Heid Yins going to fully appreciate, the clubs are the body of the kirk, if they don't look after that, the steeple – Glasgow and Edinburgh – will fall down.

SATURDAY'S Premiership fixtures – and what did we learn?

Ayr and Melrose will, yet again, be the teams to beat.

Ayr, from the consensus of the Millbrae cogniscenti who travelled to Goldenacre “Were shite, but found a way to win”. Time was, an Ayr team, even one playing well, struggled in the capital, and lost. Times have indeed changed.

Melrose produced some breath-taking stuff in beating Hawks, but, were greatly aided by the failure of the Glasgow side to hold onto the ball when in dangerous places.

These Hawks youngsters are good. Sure, they will endure other bad days, such as Saturday, but, they have an outside chance of making the top four.

Watsonians will be a threat – at least in the first half of the season

Watsons have recruited well, they have strengthened where they felt they had to and two wins from stwo is a real confidence-booster. However, the established teams will work them out in time. However, in Marcus di Rollo and Simon Taylor, they have two excellent young coaches who will enhance the top flight.

Dinna write-off Hawick just yet

They may prop-up the table after two games, but, I am confident Hawick will not finish the season there. We hear at least one young Teri, enticed away by a big-money offer from elsewhere has seen the light and returned to again wear the green. The Green Machine is sometimes slow to fire-up, but, it will get going again.

FRANS ten Bos died last week, aged 79. The big English-born, Scottish educated Dutchman is, to some, a reminder of a past age. As snotty early sixties schoolboys, his name was good for a laugh and a joke: “Imagine having ten baws!!!”

He was a God-send to Scotland. After England unleashed Marques and Currie on the world, the call was for giant second-row partnerships, and, in 1960 the 6' 3” - 16 stones ten Bos and the 6' 5” - 18 stones Mike Campbell-Lammerton was Scotland's response. Bill McLaren dubbed the pair, and the equally big John Douglas at number eight: “Nuclear-fuelled dinosaurs”, because they got about the park, as well as dong the grunting at the scrum-face, behind that wonderful McLeod, Bruce and Rollo front row.

Big Frans made one try and scored another when Scotland beat Wales in Cardiff in 1962, breaking a 35-year Welsh hoodoo in the process – yet he thought he had a poor game. He combined a stellar career in the City of London with a lifetime of dedication to London Scottish, while he was also a pillar of the Old Fettesians Association.

He joined the Argylls as a humble Jock, and was commissioned, having been earlier rejected as: “Not Scottish enough” by the Camerons; had two wives, and three daughters – one of whom married a Rockafellar.

He never had a bad word to say for anyone, and was yet another worshipper at the throne of Hughie “the Abbot” McLeod. A hell of a man was Frans ten Bos.

GOOD to see Stuart Lancaster back in rugby, as a Senior Coach with Leinster. He was far too good a nuts and bolts coach to be out of the game for long. Of course, he suffered from the media hysteria which surrounds any English national team – you know, if the SRU don't promote one of the young Scottish coaches when Solomons departs, the former Scottish Universities player would be not a bad fit. Just saying like.