How typically, perversely Scottish. We post our first win over France in a decade, and, what do we do - we hand the Six Nations to England a game early. So, were we drinking to celebrate on Sunday night - or were we drowning our sorrows at the way THEY, the White Orcs, managed to piss on our parade.
Ach, fair play to the English, under the latest Messiah to have come their way, Eddie Jones. They have won the thing, they have shown themselves to be the best in Europe over this short period. That said, I don't think the All Blacks, the Wallabies and the Springboks will be losing too-much sleep over them.
I honestly feared the French would waken-up at BT Murrayfield on Sunday and play like La Belle France for the whole 80 minutes, thereby putting us to the sword. Even the worst of French teams always has that threat in their locker. So, might we see another wardrobe of "England - Grand Slam Winners" sweaters, sent to join the 1990 lot in some landfill site?
On paper, England should win in Paris - on the grass of yon great stadium, the real France might show-up to spoil their party.
I reckon, however, the game of the weekend will be in Dublin. If both Ireland and Scotland play as they can, this should be a cracking, wide-open game, choc-a-bloc with running rugby. Or, it could be a boring arm wrestle. Let's go out in a blaze of glory guys.
WE can now add an Australian-Pacific Islander centre and an Irish winger to the tranche of non-Scottish players at Edinburgh next season. Meanwhile, Glasgow's new signings have had one thing in common - they are not Scottish.
Come on SRU, either bite the bullet and form that third pro team NOW. Or start showing some faith in young Scottish talent.
We had a good Under-20 squad last season, we have another good one this. But, there is nowhere for the graduates from that squad to go, other than to life holding tackle bags for the bigger boys at Scotstoun and Murrayfield, while playing in the BT Premiership on a Saturday.
Or, like George Horne and Robbie Fergusson, to London Scottish, in the English second tier.
At international level, we currently have, arguably, the best front row in Europe, but, Dickinson, Ford and Nel are, right now, on the crest of the hill. What is being done to bring through their replacements?
Rory Sutherland has now sat on the bench through two complete internationals. I must say, for me, Gordy Reid should be our number two loose-head. Indeed, should Dicko fall under a bus between now and Saturday, I would bet on Gordy getting the number one jersey in Dublin. But, at some stage, Sutherland has to be blooded.
Similarly, Alex Allen, who I think is potentially the best loose-head we have got, has got to be given a chance to turn promise into reality.
WE NEED A THIRD PRO TEAM OPERATING NEXT SEASON, if only to clear the log-jam of good, young players, whose potential is being stifled at Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Scotland has had a better Six Nations than for some time. We are advancing, but, that advance is being threatened by a lack of planning and progress beneath the full side. Get it sorted Murrayfield.
SATURDAY'S round-up of the previously unplayed BT Premiership matches gave us the final running order in that league.
The final table now reads:
BT Premiership table
| Pos | Team | P | W | L | D | F:A | Diff. | TB | LB | Points | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Ayr | 18 | 14 | 4 | 0 | 538:298 | 240 | 10 | 2 | 68 | ||
| 2 |  Currie | 18 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 445:338 | 107 | 6 | 3 | 59 | ||
| 3 |  Heriot's | 18 | 11 | 6 | 1 | 428:305 | 123 | 6 | 4 | 56 | ||
| 4 |  Melrose | 18 | 11 | 6 | 1 | 399:348 | 51 | 6 | 2 | 54 | ||
| 5 |  Boroughmuir | 18 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 392:372 | 20 | 5 | 3 | 46 | ||
| 6 |  Glasgow Hawks | 18 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 353:325 | 28 | 5 | 4 | 45 | ||
| 7 |  Hawick | 18 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 361:382 | -21 | 5 | 2 | 43 | ||
| 8 |  Stirling County | 18 | 6 | 11 | 1 | 361:443 | -82 | 5 | 4 | 35 | ||
| 9 |  Gala | 18 | 5 | 12 | 1 | 375:442 | -67 | 4 | 6 | 32 | ||
| 10 |  Selkirk RFC | 18 | 1 | 17 | 0 | 287:686 | -399 | 2 | 3 | 9 |
This means, Gala will now, most-probably, face Marr in the Premiership/National League 1 - Promotion/Relegation Play-Off. I appreciate, there are still a number of fixtures to be played in that lower league, and, anything can happen. However, it will be a major shock should Marr, with their ten-point advantage over third-placed Jed-forest, not go on to have their shot at glory against the Braw Lads. I am assuming here, Watsonians will make full use of their 11-point lead over Marr to claim the automatic promotion slot.
A Marr v Gala play-off will tax the loyalty of one particular icon of Scottish rugby. Which side will Peter Brown, legendary Scottish captain, and elder brother of the immortal Gordon "Broon Frae Troon" Brown be supporting.
The Brown brothers, of course, began their stellar careers at Marr. They then moved on to West of Scotland, and, in Peter's case, on again to Gala, where he was an integral part of what was arguably the greatest Sevens team ever.
Peter, I know, is delighted at the way Marr has risen through the ranks, but, if they were to make it all the way to the top flight, by beating Gala - rather him than me in deciding who to support for that match-up.
A Marr v Gala play-off will tax the loyalty of one particular icon of Scottish rugby. Which side will Peter Brown, legendary Scottish captain, and elder brother of the immortal Gordon "Broon Frae Troon" Brown be supporting.
The Brown brothers, of course, began their stellar careers at Marr. They then moved on to West of Scotland, and, in Peter's case, on again to Gala, where he was an integral part of what was arguably the greatest Sevens team ever.
Peter, I know, is delighted at the way Marr has risen through the ranks, but, if they were to make it all the way to the top flight, by beating Gala - rather him than me in deciding who to support for that match-up.
Poor old Peter: decisions-decisions.
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