A Much Better Week-End For Scottish Rugby

JINGS, crivvens, help ma Boab; michty me, what a few days for Scottish rugby. OK, our women lost to Italy, but, Women's rugby in Scotland is, sadly, in such a rauch state, we expect nothing, so, let's be happy with what happened elsewhere.

 

Thursday night: In spite of the best effort of the usual one-eyed, homers  put up as assistant officials by the Welsh RU, and a typically wretched performance by Gary Conway - not forgetting some shoddy work themselves, Glasgow managed to beat Newport Gwent Dragons.

 

Friday night: at Gala, the Scottish Club XV thumps the English Counties XV by nine tries to three - a fantastic win. Then, In Padua, the Scotland Under-20 team beats their Italian counterparts.

 

 Saturday afternoon: In Rome, Scotland finally gets it right to post their first Six Nations victory in ten starts, and win well.

 

Sunday afternoon: at Murrayfield, again, as with Glasgow, there were a lot of unforced errors, but, in the end, Edinburgh came from behind with a superb second-half performance, to beat the Scarlets.

 

Five wins from six games, at long last, something to celebrate about Scottish rugby.

 

Now, I will make no effort to play down the enormity of the task facing them, but, I see no reason why Scotland should not take advantage of current French Discomfort to beat Les Bleus at BT Murrayfield, in our next Six Nations game, on 12 March, and, if we can win that one - which is not beyond us, I can see us going on to beat Ireland in Dublin in our final game.

 

OK, one swallow does not make a summer, but, we are feeling better about ourselves than we were after the opening two games.

 

 

 

GLASGOW District club rugby hasn't been that highly-rated since the far-off days of the 1970s, when West of Scotland and Jordanhill College were powers in the land, and you almost had to come from Ayrshire to win a Scotland cap as a forward: Ian McLauchlan, Quintin Young, Peter and Gordon Brown, Al McHarg, brothers Ian and David Gray, Bill Cuthbertson, Gordon Strachan, Alec Wilson and Jock Craig were Stars o' the Rabbie Burns Country who set the standard for Scottish forwards.

 

Today, with five Ayr men and two from Glasgow Hawks in the victorious club XV, Glasgow clubs are holding their own at the highest reaches of the club game, while, further down, lesser Glasgow District sides are doing well.

 

Just look at the last eight in the BT Scottish Cup. Ayr are there, where you would expect them to be, still seeking a second league and cup double in four years. Hawks are there too, but, Marr, who are setting National League One alight with their good form, are in there, and,their quarter-final tie against Hawks, will guarantee at least one Glasgow District club in the last four.

 

Make that two guaranteed Glasgow sides in the last four, since Ayr will host GHK at Millbrae, and, while it will be a shock of about six on the Richter scale if they pull it off, there could be a third, semi-finalist from the West, since Cartha-Queen's Park have battled through to face Heriot's.

 

The Goldenacre side and Currie will represent Edinburgh in the last eight, while Melrose are the solitary Borders side to have made it that far. Could the traditional map of Scottish rugby be being re-drawn for the 21st century?

 

I might add, with all four of the BT Premiership play-off contenders still involved in the Cup, there is a definite chance of a league and cup double being posted this season. This demonstrates, there are some seriously-good club sides in Scotland these days.

 

It#s such a pity the club game is being so-shabbily treated by the "blazers" at BT Murrayfield. The club game is the heart beat of the game, it is not being properly appreciated by the paid officials inside headquarters.

 

   

Come On Murrayfield - Splash The Cash And Buy Some Wins For Our Pro Sides

THREE decades ago, when I was heavily involved, both as a club official and as a journalist, in basketball, I was told by a leading Scottish Basketball Association official - as I fulminated against some blatantly anti-Scottish decisions in a European Cup tie: "Aye well, the trick is, you "buy" the decisions when you have home advantage, and, unfortunately, we in Scotland don't have the money to do this".

 

Maybe that drawback is still adversely affecting Edinburgh and Warriors in the Pro12. I make this observation following last night's match at Rodney Parade, in which Glasgow managed to win, despite the best efforts of Gary Conway and his cohort of Welsh junior officials.

 

[At this point, can I commend TMO Peter Adams, who might well have committed  professional suicide, when he allowed Dunky Weir's match-clinching try to stand. I am certain Conway asked him to: "Quick, Pete, find me a reason not to allow that one" - that has always struck me as the question asked when a Scottish team has the temerity to score a try in Wales.]

 

Of course, oor ain tame officials could also reciprocate in kind when the Irish and Welsh teams come to Murrayfield or Scotstoun. Except (and this holds in every sport I have every covered), Scottish officials (except where the Old Firm are concerned), tend to be incorruptible - they call it as they see it.

 

 

Gary Conway: "Find me a reason not to award the try"!!

 

 

Conway, of course, has "form" with the Scottish Pro12 sides; it is not that long ago Edinburgh officially complained about his interpretation of the scrum in one game. I never thought I'd say this, but, George Clancy is no longer the worst Irish referee with the initials GC.

 

Ach! How typically Scottish, to be complaining about a game which the Scottish side won. We are Scottish, the wind is always in our face. Glasgow, last night, did not play well, however, they "won ugly", and that is a handy thing to be able to do. I still fancy, given how poorly they have played this season, the "real" Warriors will emerge before the end of the season and, they just might retain their Pro12 title.

 

 

 

TONIGHT, the Scotland Club XV entertain English Counties, at Netherdale. Given how easily the English won last season's inaugural game at this level, the odds are against Scotland tonight.

 

However, on a cold Netherdale night, with a bunch of Borderers going ape shit on the sidelines, we just might frighten the bejesus out of our visitors and see Scotland win. Last season, Coach Phil Smith fatally undermined the Scottish effort when he got skipper Ross Curle banned from the game, after a tackle in an Ayr v Heriot's game.

 

With "Rosco" leading this season, I fancy our chances of winning a tight game.

 

Go for it lads.

 

 

 

THE Club international will have a knock-on effect on what would otherwise be, arguably the Game of the Day in Scotland tomorrow, the delayed BT Scottish Cup third round tie between Stirling County and Ayr, at Bridgehaugh.

 

Ayr have five players on international duty at Netherdale - skipper Curle, George Hunter, Rob McAlpine, Will Bordill and Pete McCallum, plus hooker Lewis Anderson in the Scotland Under-20 team. That's a lot of fire power to take out of the Millbrae ranks. 

 

As I understand it, those Club Internationalists who feel up to it, will be on the bench at Stirling (although I would not put it past Curle to start), so to start without them will be a real test of Ayr's squad strength. It will still be a good game, however.

 

 

 

 

   

Well, If You Cannot Call-Up A Tim For A Roman Trip, When Can You?

Tim Visser - back in the Scotland XV for Rome

HARLEQUINS' winger Tim Visser has been brought into the Scotland XV to face Italy in Rome on Saturday afternoon, replacing the injured Sean Maitland in the only change to the team which lost to Wales in Cardiff.

The Scotland team reads:

15 Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) – 40 caps; 9 tries, 2 pens, 51 points
14 Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors) – 24 caps; 12 tries, 60 points 13 Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors) – 15 caps; 6 tries, 30 points 12 Duncan Taylor (Saracens) – 14 caps; 1 try, 5 points 11 Tim Visser (Harlequins) – 23 caps; 10 tries, 50 points
10 Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors) – 17 caps; 2 tries, 3 cons, 1 pen, 19 points 9 Greig Laidlaw CAPTAIN (Gloucetser) – 48 caps; 4 tries, 58 cons, 110 pens, 466 points
1 Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby) – 54 caps; 2 tries, 10 points 2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby) – 96 caps; 2 tries, 10 points 3 Willem Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) – 10 caps; 1 try, 5 points 4 Richie Gray (Castres) – 53 caps, 2 tries, 10 points 5 Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors) – 21 caps; 1 try, 5 points 6 John Barclay (Scarlets) – 47 caps; 3 tries, 15 points 7 John Hardie (Edinburgh Rugby) – 7 caps; 2 tries, 10 points 8 David Denton (Bath Rugby) – 34 caps
Substitutes
16 Stuart McInally (Edinburgh Rugby) – 4 caps 17 Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh Rugby) – uncapped 18 Moray Low (Exeter Chiefs) – 29 caps 19 Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors) – 19 caps 20 Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors) – 15 caps 21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh Rugby) – 9 caps 22 Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 15 caps, 2 tries, 1 con, 1 pen, 15 points 23 Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors) – 102 caps; 14 tries, 40 points

National Coach Vern Cotter might have left well alone with his starting XV, but he has made some significant changes to the bench, with Rory Sutherland, the young Edinburgh loose-head, seemingly set to make his Scotland debut off the bench in Rome, while, on the other side of the scrum, Moray Low's excellent form for Exeter has seen him displace Zander Fagerson.

On this point - Fagerson is not seemingly required for the big team, when then is he not in the Under-20 team to play their Italian counterparts?

Blair Cowan's injury has earned Ryan Wilson a recall as back row cover, while Peter Horne is set to cover the three midfield backs positions.

I know it is never easy in Rome, but, surely, this time, we can win and bring an end to our dismal run of Six Nations losses.  

Nae Luck - If It Wisnae Fur His Bad Luck

Grant Gilchrist - more injury misery

FORMER England football winger Darren Anderton was injured so often, he was known universally as: "Sick Note". That nickname can surely, and sadly, be passed-on to Edinburgh captain and lock Grant Gilchrist.

On his first game back from the injury which kept him out of the World Cup and which has blighted his career, the big lock has sustained another broken arm, and is again consigned to the side lines. Honestly, if it wasn't for his bad luck, he'd have no luck.

Rumours were flying around last week that Gilchrist had been targetted by Toulon, who need a big, rumbustious lock, now that Paul O'Connell has been forced to hang up his boots. Well, while it is always wise to "never say never", it is clear that, any big-money move to the sunny South-West of France for Gilchrist will have to wait a while yet. With the timing of this latest injury, his season is effectively over.



SPEAKING of bad luck, or not getting the breaks - other than broken limbs; you have to feel for that much-maligned bunch, Scotland's rugby referees.

We are used to seeing poor refereeing displays in the Pro12, some of the Irish and Welsh guys we see at Scotstoun and Murrayfield on a regular basis give the impression of having been over-promoted, well above their pay grade.

And we ask ourselves: "Are Scottish referees really that bad"? I must admit, this season, I have not had as much cause to castigate our referees in the BT Premiership, as in past seasons. However, we have had few chances to see if the men with the whistle can operate successfully at a higher level.

The fact is, only three Scottish referees - Lloyd Linton, Neil Paterson and Sam Grove White are listed among the Pro12 referees, and of these, only Lynton has had the chance to officiate as the man in the middle in a Pro12 match.

Lynton, of course, and Paterson, have the first requirement to be a Pro12 referee, they are Irish-born, but, while some fairly ropey Irish whistlers have incurred our wrath this season, Lynton hasn't had the whistle since SEPTEMBER, right at the start of the season.

Lloyd Linton, no Pro12 games since September

On 5 September, he refereed Munster v Benneton Treviso, and six days later, he took charge of Newport Gwent Dragons v Zebre. Since then, nothing.

Paterson, who took charge of his first Pro12 game back in November, 2006, hasn't had a game this season. I mean, it's not as if he is an untried youngster. That label might be applied to young Grove White, who has yet to make his Pro12 bow.

Sam Grove White - still waiting to make his Pro12 debut

You have to ask yourself - what do our referees have to do to get an even break? They didn't even get the nod for the two 1872 Cup matches, between Glasgow and Edinburgh. If you cannot trust a Scottish referee to officiate at an all-Scotland match, when can you.

Again, we stress. John Jeffrey is the chairman of World Rugby's refereeing committee, as such, he is the top man in the world when it comes to referees. Come on JJ, how about sticking-up for Scottish referees. FFS big man, your nickname is the White Shark - bite somebody and give our lads an even break. They cannot be worse than George Clancy, can they?



THIS season is already scheduled to stretch into late May. Just have a look at the forthcoming fixtures in some of the lower "coarse rugby" divisions if you don't believe me. However, some fixtures are set in stone, and, this is potentially causing problems for our top club sides.

At Netherdale, on Friday night, the Scotland Club XV is due to face the English Counties in a club international. The side selected  by Phil Smith includes five Ayr players - skipper Ross Curle at centre, prop George Hunter, lock Rob McAlpine, flanker Will Bordill and number eight Pete McCallum, a great boost for our leading club.

However, Ayr are scheduled to travel to Bridgehaugh on Saturday, to face Stirling County in the last 16 of the BT Scottish Cup. Having already finished top of the heap in the regular season of the BT Premiership, and thus assured themselves of home advantage in the Play-Off semi-final, Ayr have genuine hopes of a League and Cup double.

However, if they have to go to Stirling minus five of their top talents, these hopes could be hanging by a thread. So, what do they do?

Do they ask the quintet to pull out of the Club XV at short notice, thereby upsetting Smith's careful preparations? Does Ayr forfeit the cup tie and with it their double hopes? Do they seek a postponement, thereby further crowding an already crowded fixture list? Might they re-schedule for Sunday, County being in agreement, given this is a Six Nations weekend and the SRU would surely be happy to co-operate with this?

It's a difficult one for the MIllbrae men to sort out.



SPEAKING of the English Counties XV, they are scheduled to tour Canada in the summer, playing matches in Alberta and British Columbia. Having toured there with Scotland back in the amateur days of the mid-eighties, I can say, they will receive a really warm welcome and terrific hospitality.

What will it take for the Scotland Club XV to enjoy similar touring opportunities?

Come on SRU, why not give our top club players a wee bit more encouragement?





             

A Shitty Day - In A Shitty Season For Selkirk

SHIT happens, as our American cousins keep saying. So, I was in no way surprised to see GHK lower Selkirk's colours in Saturday's BT Scottish Cup clash. This one always looked like a banana skin waiting to send the Souters tumbling - a struggling team, which has got into the habit of losing games, against a lesser side, used to winning, that's bad karma dude.

 

Of course, I feel for the many excellent people around Philiphaugh, who are surely now, more than ever, wishing this terrible season which they have endured will just end. But, fair play to GHK, although, I will be amazed if their cup campaign does not run its course in their next tie.

 

Meanwhile, to continue the thread from the above paragraph, we must ask ourselves when the weather Gods will relent and this dreadful season of postponements and re-arranged fixture will be over.

 

I note, with some alarm, that fixtures in the not-quite-basement/lower ground floor league which my own wee club inhabits, already unplayed fixtures are down to be settled in late May, a time when, once upon a time, rugby players had either decamped to the golf course or the cricket square. Mind you, by then, perhaps, pitches will be firm enough for us to see some running rugby.

 

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS are surely due to Stirling County and Ayr, after their successes in the Under-18 and Under-16 League Cup Finals, at BT Murrayfield on Sunday. These two clubs have long been in the vanguard of clubs giving youth rugby  real backing. No club can survive and thrive these days without a well-run youth section; we need a constant supply of new blood coming into the game if it is to progress.

The problem these clubs, indeed all clubs have is the fall-off in numbers during the transition from youth to adult rugby. This is a hardy annual - at a stage between 16 and 18 a lot of previously keen young players suddenly discover that to put it crudely, it's a lot nicer and more fulfilling to put your hand between a young lady's thighs than those of a hairy-arsed prop, or to put your arm round the shoulders of a creature of the opposite sex rather than a fellow lock or front-rower; chasing girls is much more fun than chasing hopeful kicks-ahead - if you get my drift. Then, there is the realisation, a pint tastes just as good if you've walked into a bar off the street than off the pitch.

 

For those who do stay on in rugby, there is the culture shock of going from a star in youth rugby to being the pbi in the club game. Sunday Mini then Midi rugby is ok, you've got time to do it, it's a different matter having to rush home from work or university to train midweek, in the dark, under perhaps inadequate floodlighting. Then there is the culture shock of going from a youth first team to perhaps a club third or fourth team.

 

When I made the transition from, in my case school rugby to the club game, in my mid-teens, well, I reckon there was more rugby played below top club level. I joined my own wee club in its second season, we fielded two XVs every week, and three most weeks. The following season, we fielded three XVs every week, and occasionally four.

 

Today, the club fields two XVs every week (well, every week they can get a pitch which is fit to play on), but, whereas in our day, the third and fourth XVs usually had a pack with an average age of 30, and a back division where maybe a couple of the guys were over 21, the rest were kids, today, the equivalent third and fourth teams are the U-18s and U-16s.

 

There are not, today, the same number of "coarse" rugby teams there were when I was a boy. I began this portion of the blog today by mentioning Ayr. Before youth rugby took hold at Millbrae, the club was fielding - every Saturday, the 1st XV, 2nd XV, A1 XV, A2 XV and a 3rd XV, sometimes a 4th (actually 6th) XV. Today, Ayr fields a 1st XV a 2nd XV and the Millbrae XV, most of the members of which are beyond even the second flush of youth, and, that Millbrae XV has just won the West Regional Bowl.

 

There are guys now quite happy to stand and watch the Ayr first XV, who, even 25-years ago would have been happily playing for a XV down the club. We have to bring back social rugby to ensure the guys who are too-old for youth rugby, but, not good enough for the competitive leagues, have somewhere to go.

 

My playing career ended in my late 30s, playing for a team known as: "The Mean Machine"; our motto was: "Well, we won the fight", because some weeks that was all we won - but, we enjoyed ourselves. I reckon, just as some old stagers forecast would happen, when leagues were first introduced back in 1973, once it got serious, and league positions came into play, a lot of the fun went out of the game.

 

Even more fun went when professionalism came in, even when what is now in all but name, semi-professionalism came into the top-level club game. The fact is, if paying rugby isn't fun, it isn't worth doing.

 

We have to find a way of bringing back the fun element, and getting more guys simply enjoying playing the game on Saturdays.

 

Bring Back Coarse Rugby.   

 

 

An Unexpected But Fun Friday Night Out

Josh Strauss on the charge

WELL, that was unexpectedly good fun. I had reconciled myself to a night in front of the TV, watching Ospreys beat Edinburgh (No, I never expect Edinburgh to beat 17 men in Wales), when I got a desperate call - could I get to Rugby Park to cover the Warriors v Munster game?

Since it takes the chance of earning some money to get me out of my arm chair, I didn't hesitate and, just over one hour later, there I was, in the Rugby Park press box and raring to go. I am actually glad I took the gig, because I witnessed a cracking game, a seven-try thriller, deservedly won by Warriors.

From a Scotland viewpoint, and we must never forget, for all their recent success, Warriors (and Edinburgh) are all about making sure Scotland stays competitive in the international arena, this was a good night for Vern Cotter. Peter Horne had a cracking game, ditto wee Dunky Weir, who, in scoring a terrific try, demonstrated searing pace few of us suspected he possessed. Gordon Reid and Zander Fagerson, out back-up props, played their part in a dominant Glasgow scrum, but, the big boost for BVC came with a Man of the Match performance from Josh Strauss.

Captaincy seems to bring out the best in the big Saffer. He led from the front, and the way he repeatedly made the hard yards, and lots of them, must make him the prime contender to take Scotland's number eight jersey from the currently under-performing Dave Denton.

Munster came to give Glasgow a game, and they did. This was a wonderful advertisement for the Pro12, which fair warmed a cauld, dreich nicht.

Rangers boss Mark Warburton has, of late, seemingly been conducting a one-man war against artificial pitches in general, and the Rugby Park one in particular. Aye, but this, to me was simply Ibrox preciousness. You will not find Gregor Townsend bad-mouthing the Rugby Park surface, he reckons it is brilliant for rugby, and definitely suits the fast-paced, off-loading game Glasgow seeks to play.

That said, he is hoping the team will soon be back home at Scotstoun, but, you can see he is desperate to have the anticipated and promised artificial surface laid there, ASAP. Then, watch Glasgow go.

Meanwhile, in Swansea, Ospreys were, as everyone expected, seeing-off the Edinburgh challenge. Once again, Edinburgh got themselves well into the game, then faded, and, apparently, the Welsh touch judges and TMO didn't have to do too-much to help the home side win.

Edinburgh all too often flatters to deceive, they really are a problem for the SRU. By the way, rumours are abounding in the game, that Grant Gilchrist is the man Toulon are targeting as a replacement for the now-retired Paul O'Connell.

A big boost for Big G and his bank balance, if it happens, but, given how little rugby he has played of late and how, he remains, for all his relationship with BVC is being seen as the rugby version of the Alex Ferguson/Darren Fletcher one at Old Trafford, maybe he owes the SRU and Edinburgh, at least one injury-free year, before he goes after the big-money move to FRance or England.

One rugby scribe, with a wicked sense of humour, suggested the idea of Gilchrist for Toulon, has been cooked up by Richie Gray - who fancies seeing his main protagonist for the Scotland number four shirt having the shit kicked out of him on a weekly basis, in the Top 14.

Meanwhile, yet another weekend of club rugby has been laid waste by the weather - summer rugby anyone? Mind you, just how we get 15-a-side rugby past the Borders clubs in April, "Sports Season", when Sevens rules down there, is anyone's guess.     

Club XV To Face The English Named

Scotland Club XV captain Ross Curle of Ayr

 

NO SOONER had I posted my last entry, bemoaning the lack of coverage of the domestic club game in our Rugby-orientated papers, before a press release from the SRU landed in my inbox. This released the identity of the Scotland Club XV, to play the English Counties XV, at Netherdale, on Friday, 26 February.

 

The chosen squad, starting XV and replacements is:

 

15. Fraser Thomson (Melrose)

 14. Sam Pecquer (Melrose)

13. Ross Curle CAPTAIN (Ayr)

12. Brendan McGroarty (Glasgow Hawks)

11. Jordan Edmunds (Boroughmuir)

10. Lee Armstrong (Hawick)

9. Paddy Boyer (Glasgow Hawks)

1.     George Hunter (Ayr)

2.     Ross Graham (Hawick)

3.     Nick Beavon (Melrose)

4.     Robert McAlpine (Ayr)

5.     Jack Turley (Heriot’s)

6.     Jason Hill (Heriot’s)

7.     Will Bordill (Ayr)

8.     Peter McCallum (Ayr)

  Replacements

 16. Michael Liness (Heriot’s)

17. Struan Cessford (Heriot’s)

18. Jamie Bhatti (Melrose)

19. Russell Nimmo (Heriot’s)

20. Neil Irvine-Hess (Melrose)

21. Graham Wilson (Heriot’s)

22. Cameron Ferguson (Heriot’s)

23. Harvey Elms (Currie)

The 23-strong quad is drawn from seven clubs, with league leaders Ayr providing one-third of the starting XV, including skipper Ross Curle. There is a first cap for Millbrae number eight Peter McCallum who has been in superb form this season. In gaining national recognition, Peter has moved upsides with his father, former Ayr lock Chris, who was one of the original Scotland Under-21 players when that age group was initiated back in 1984, Chris coming off the bench against the Netherlands that year.

He is joined in what looks like a good back row trio by club-mate Will Bordill, and Heriot's Jason Hill, both of whom have worn the Warriors' shirt with distinction this season. Hill will be vice-captain.

George Hunter, another to have turned out for Warriors, is at loose-head, alongside Scottish Academy Stage Three hooker Ross Graham of Hawick. Coach Phil Smith has not unnaturally leaned heavily on his own Heriot's squad for the bench. Hill and New Zealander Jack Turley are the only Goldenacre men who will start, but versatile front rowers Michael Liness and Struan Cessford, versatile lock Ross Nimmo, scrum-half Graham Wilson and Cammy Ferguson are on the bench.

The English side won comfortably in last year's inaugural fixture at this level, at Vale of Lune, so revenge is in the air at Gala.  If the Scots can get the ball out to the speedy Sam Pecquer and  Jordan Edmunds on the wings, they will spell danger to the English.

Smith has chosen a good, strong squad, let's hope they are good enough to post a rare Scottish win over the Auld Enemy.   

 

 

With Little Or No Action To Cover - Why Not Invite Discussion - It's Good To Talk

GLAD I am this week, to now be merely a part-time rugby scribe; how hard it must be for the pbi in the front line, coming out of the front-line trenches of the Six Nations for a week, but, back in the barracks, having to come-up with printable stories to justify their big salaries and expenses.

 

Sure, the delights of the Eternal City are but a week away, but, this week the choice is:  a cold, dreich Rugby Park on a Friday night, or a trip to equally cold and dreich Swansea, for Pro12 games. At least, at Rugby Park, you have a Killie Pie to look forward to.

 

As far as midweek fillers go, it's all speculation, will Stuart Hogg be fit to play in Rome, and, where do we find the bench strength we apparently lack?

 

I must admit, I'd like to see BVC throw a curve ball into the Rome selection, by bringing in one or two of the fringe players. I am an unashamed admirer of big Alex Toolis, I'd like to see him brought into the squad for Rome, if only to fire a rocket up big Richie Gray's earse. Similarly, what do we still need to know about Sean Lamont, let's give Rory Hughes a run, or the much-improved Lee Jones.

 

Why not find out which Moray Low is currently playing. I know from bitter experience, big Moray can go out there and win you a game, as he memorably did in Buenos Aires a year or two back, while, next time out he can be so bad I fancy my eight stone wringing wet grand-daughter could handle him. If the Buenos Aires Low can turn-up regularly for Scotland, I would start him.

 

 

 Ruaridh Jackson

 

 Finn Russell

 

 

Mark Bennett might benefit from being benched, to bring his particular broken field running genius on against tired opponents. This might allow BVC to experiment with Ruaridh Jackson at 10 and Finn Russell at 12, with Duncan Taylor at 13.

 

I'd leave Greig Laidlaw at 9. I still hae ma doots about SHC, and would prefer to see a fit Henry Pyrgos as the alternate scrum-half, but, that may have to wait until the Autumn.

 

A wee article or two along these lines, might be good clickbait (a very important part of sports writing today), but, more-importantly, it would surely stimulate much-needed debate.

 

 

 

OR, the scribes could lower their sights a bit and pay some attention to the club game. There are some cracking stories to be told in the BT Premiership just now - only, the papers seem to have forgotten, that is the real heart of Scottish Rugby.

 

Aye, we like to watch the international team, or the Pro12, but, the Clan system is still alive in Scottish Rugby, and it revolves around our local clubs - that's where you see the real passion.

 

I cover a lot of club rugby, and I can, and indeed have, telt the High Heid Yins on our sports desks - you are doing your papers no favours by largely ignoring the clubs.

 

 

 

Taqele Nayarovoro on the charge

 

SO, 'Big T' is going back to Australia at the end of the season; cannot say I am surprised, since he never brought to the party, what Glasgow, and presumably he, hoped he would.

 

The Pacific Islander was not the first to be dubbed: "the next Jona Lomu", he will nae doots not be the last, but, like so-many previous contenders, he found Jona's boots too big to fill.

 

It doesn't help that in the professional age, defences are so much tighter than those which Jona used to run through, but, for me, he never had the initial surge of pace which made Lomu so difficult to stop, while he lacked the basic game knowledge to either make his physical attributes pay, or, to realise he wasn't going anywhere and off-load.

 

Signing him was a brave call by Toony, but, sadly, it didn't work. At least, those who saw him destroy the Scarlets, got their money's worth.