It's Only A Game But A Seemingly Foreign One To One Scottish Newspaper Which Should Know Better

I WAS brought-up on a diet of top-quality writers about Scottish rugby. Essayist supreme, Norman Mair in The Scotsman was the go-to man, after all, he had played with the bulk of the then SRU committee, knew how they thought and was always ahead of the game.

 Norman Mair - THE Scottish rugby writer

Bill McMurtrie, across at The Herald was not as good a writer as Norman, but, he was a diligent hard worker, who, along with John Downie and Glen Stirling made certain, nobody farted in Glasgow rugby, but, The Herald could smell it. Bill's dry sense of humour took a bit of working out, but, it is good to see him still beavering away for the good of the game over at GHA – and, his views are still worth listening to.

Then there was our weekly dose of Bill McLaren, who wrote as good a game as he talked – and that's saying something, while later we had - at various times, Chris Rea and John Beattie, while, both at the Express, when it was a serious newspaper, and later at The Herald, Brian Meek was always a class act, as was Bill Lothian, but, I didn't get to see the Edinburgh Evening News too-often.

Today, well, big David Barnes is playing a blinder with his Offside Line website, Duncan Smith is growing into the job at The Scotsman, while I have really high hopes for a couple of the kids who are still making their way, and I will not burden them with expectations. But, all is not well in Scottish rugby journalism.

The Scotsman's sports team, under Graham Bean, is trying to maintain standards in extremely-difficult circumstances. But, I fear The Herald has totally lost the plot. It seems to me, they have decided, beneath the two professional sides, Scottish rugby is not worth bothering about.

Well, this sort-of mirrors their approach to covering all of Scottish sport. It appears to my jaundiced eye, “Sport” seems, to the weans now running things at the top of Renfield Street, to consist of -covering the Bigot Brothers of Scottish football, the Scottish national football and rugby sides, the two pro rugby teams, golf and Andy Murray, nothing else matters.

This is the wrong approach and, no wonder their circulation is plummeting.

I suppose, trying to sell your sport in Glasgow is a wee bit like being the SNP press secretary. You have good stories to tell, you are trying to tell them, but, the press is not listening.

 Herald readers missed Gary Hutchison of SNS's picture of the Premiership launch in Glasgow yesterday

Take yesterday, the new season's BT Premiership was launched in Glasgow, at BT's Scottish HQ, which is about half a mile from The Herald offices. I looked in-vain for an item on this on the paper's website – nothing, zilch, nada. It clearly did not happen.

Sad, that's an awful lot of pissed-off rugby fans, in my view.

NIKO “The Magician” Matawalu – the original “Weegie frae Fiji” is back at Scotstoun, which is great news all round. I never thought Niko was a good fit for the more-structured English game. Our Saxon neighbours have never been comfortable with free spirits in any sport, and Niko is definitely a free spirit.

It's an old sporting aphorism: “Never go back”; yes, sports history is full of examples of returning heroes falling flat on their faces, but, I sincerely hope Niko works for Glasgow. The Warrior Nation is definitely excited at the great man's return.

The Heart Rate Rises As This Week Progresses

YOU CAN TELL a new season is just about to kick-off, by the suddenly increased volume of press releases thudding into the old inbox. Most of these are quickly read then binned, only the SRU-generated stuff, from the Union itself, Glasgow and Edinburgh gets kept – you never know when you might need evidence.

The SRU's week-ahead media briefing email is a constant, normally landing at tea-time on a Friday. I have a theory sending-out this email is the last thing Matt Horler and his team does on a Friday night. I can see it now: “Right team – get that out and let's hit the pub.” Mind you, I think they've maybe hurried the last two – there was no mention of the SRU Charity Shield game in last week's release, and they might have remembered the new club league season kicks-off officially this Saturday.

The start of the PRO14 will be, naturally, THE big event of the weekend, with, hopefully, Edinburgh and Glasgow making winning starts under their new Head Coaches. We await, with keen interest, the team announcements, particularly from Glasgow. Will the Scotland contingent be sent over the top, or will they be eased in off the bench, given how well the journeymen have performed thus far?

new Edinburgh captain Magnus Bradbury.

Richard Cockerill certainly settled one debate on Monday, when he confirmed Magnus Bradbury as the new capital captain. There is an old SRU tradition of rewarding sons, and even sons-in-laws of High Heid Yins with caps, which were not always justified.

I can honestly say, even if his mother had not been vice-president of the Union, young Magnus would have been a good choice – this kid is the real deal and can grow into the job.

Cockerill, meanwhile, has called-in a favour from his old club Leicester, and borrowed Italian loose-head Michel Rizzo for six weeks as cover for a position in which his signed men have been falling like nine-pins.

I had hoped Ryan Grant might have persuaded Cockers to let him have the chance to resurrect his career while Edinburgh were short-handed, but, apparently not. A wee bird tells me, however, Grantie is liable to be seen in action in the BT Premiership on Saturday.

At the moment, I am heading for Glasgow Hawks v Marr on Saturday, except – I still do not know where this game will be played, following the opening of that sink hole which has turned the big pitch there unplayable. Hawks are trying very hard to find an alternative home while OA is out of commission, with various options apparently being discussed – Scotstoun - the club's preferred option, New Anniesland, Lochinch, even Burnbrae.

Don't take that Lochinch comment too-seriously, by the way. I understand, some of Hawks' West End chaps need vaccinations before they will venture south of the river. I am confident, however, the issue will be sorted out before Saturday.

The SRU is holding the BT Premiership media launch tomorrow. One wonders how many of the staff rugby writers – now a threatened species here in Scotland – will turn-up. Probably more than show-up to actually cover games on Saturday. Still, that's good for us hard-pressed freelances, that we get the Premiership gigs, so, mustn't grumble.

SCOTTISH Rugby got a great even of new season boost today, with Stuart Hogg back participating in Warriors' training. Just how far from full fitness Hawick's finest is, is another matter, but, just seeing him out on the grass is great news.

Craig Watson's picture of Hoggie at training today

Top sports snapper Craig Watson was on hand to grab shots of Hoggie getting stuck-in – great to see him back.

SCOTTISH club rugby has lost three massive influences in August. The loss of Gavin Calder, eldest of the four Calder brothers and a great man of Inverleith, I have already mentioned. Across on the south side of Glasgow, they are still mourning Billy Barnes, the plumber who gave so much to Cartha-Queen's Park and Hutcheson's-Aloysians, while Boroughmuir and indeed Edinburgh rugby, has been saddened by the loss, at the grand old age of 92 of Arthur Ross – one of the pioneers of coaching in Scotland.

Back in the 1980s, Scotland briefly “adopted” Swedish rugby; I remember interviewing Richie Dixon, who spent time there, on the partnership, which he hoped might be expanded.

Arthur went out to Sweden and coached Enkopping to the Swedish championship and this week, following his death, that club posted a lovely tribute to him.

The international brotherhood of rugby right enough.

Drafty Round Here Init?

THE PROFESSIONAL draft, that annual exercise in getting the troops excited, has finally been revealed. The clubs now know which players they can expect to be loaned-out by the two professional clubs over this season.

Hoggie and Jonny might get a run-out for a club to prove their fitness

But, as we all know by now – this is not what it seems. There is just a chance that, the timing being right, Stuart Hogg will perhaps pull on an Ayr jersey, if only to prove his fitness, and Jonny Gray just might be given a run-out with Currie to prove his fitness.

Mark Bennett's fight-back to full match fitness will, conditions being right, begin in Boroughmuir's colours, but, the reality is, if the drafted professional is one of the central core players with either of the two pro sides – he will never be seen in the colours of the club to which he was drafted.

Still, it gives the club men something to talk about, while little else is happening, but, where the big names are concerned any way – nobody believes a word of it.

And, even when a professional does turn-out for a club, what that club gets varies. Some terrific pros of the past, such as Al Kellock and James Eddie really bought-into the club they were drafted to and made a difference - others seemed to be going through the motions with the greatst of reluctance.

 I could never picture Chris Paterson in a green shirt

And, I remember, years ago, when this draft started, Chris Paterson was drafted to Hawick – anyone who thought there was the remotest chance of a guid Braw Lad frae Gala like CP pulling-on the green jersey, well, they had had a reality by-pass.

But, just supposing something happened, say the PRO14 ran into a legal dispute and games were cancelled until it was sorted out. The players would still have to keep sharp, get game time – so, they have to play for the clubs to which they had been drafted.

Here are the team sheets for this mythical week. And, you will note, in some cases, not every player drafted can be accommodated in any one week's team.

I don't know what the fixtures are, but, the starting XVs are as follows: Normal club players are in block print, drafted professionals in italics. In every case, the drafted professionals were chosen first, before filling-in round them. When in doubt, I chose the last player to play in that position for the club last season.

AYR: Stuart Hogg; Robbie Fergusson, Brandon Thomson, Sam Johnston, Rory Hughes; Finn Russell, Ali Price; George Hunter, Pat McArthur, Robin Hislop; Tim Swinson, Rob McAlpine, Blair Macpherson, Tommy Spinks, Pete McCallum.

BOROUGHMUIR: Grant Cannie; Damien Hoyland, Mark Bennett, Robbie Fruean, Jordan Edmonds; Duncan Weir, Sean Kennedy; D Robertson, T King, WP Nel; Lewis Carmichael, Fraser McKenzie; Aubrey Mcube, Hamish Watson, Chris Keddie. Also drafted:Nathan Fowles

CURRIE CHIEFTAINS: Ruaridh Jackson; Leonardo Sarto, Richie Vernon, Robbie Nelson, Lee Jones; Adam Hastings, Charlie Shiel; Alex Allan, George Turner, John Cox; Scott Cummings, Jonny Gray; Luke Crosbie, Tom Gordon, Ross Weston.

GLASGOW HAWKS: Jack Steele; Kerr Gossman, Paddy Kelly, Alex Dunbar, Robert Beattie; Peter Horne, George Horne; Chris Strain, Fraser Brown, Jack Findlay; Kiran McDonald, Brian Alainu'uese; Rob Harley, Matt Smith, Matt Fagerson.

Pictured - Brian Alainu'uese.

HAWICK: Blair Kinghorn; Darcy Graham, Joseva Nayacavou, Phil Burleigh, Tom Brown; Kyle Brunton, Greg Cottrell; Allan Dell, Kevin Bryce, Rory Sutherland; Keith McNeil, Bruce McNeil; Hugh Blake, John Hardie, Cornell Du Preez.

HERIOT'S: Charlie Simpson; Duhan Van Der Merwe, Liam Steele, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, James Fleming; Jason Tovey, Hugh Fraser; Alasdair Dickinson, Michael Liness, Murray McCallum; Ben Toolis, Jack Turley; Chris Mulligan, Jamie Ritchie, Callum Marshall.

MARR: Gavin Lowe; Lelia Masaga, Conor Bickerstaff, Richard Dalgleish, Tommy Seymour; Dougie Steele, Kaleem Berretto; Oli Kebble, James Malcolm, D'Arcy Rae; Greg Peterson, Ewen Bulger; Samuela Vunisa, Kyle Vallance, Ryan Wilson. Also drafted: Siosiua Halanukonuka (pictured left and not even guaranteed a game. 

MELROSE: Fraser Thomson; Austin Lockington, Tom Galbraith, James Johnstone, Ross McCann; Jason Baggot, Charlie Sheill; Jamie Bhatti, Ross Ford, Simon Berghan, Grant Gilchrist, Anton Bresler, Ally Miller, Stuart McInally, James Johnstone.

STIRLING COUNTY: L Bonar; J Hope, Huw Jones, Nick Grigg, S MacDonald; Ross Curle, Henry Pyrgos; M MacDonald, Ruaridh Kennedy, Zander Fagerson; Callum Hunter-Hill, Lewis Wynne, Callum Gibbons, Chris Fusaro, Adam Ashe.

WATSONIANS: Glenn Bryce; Dougie Fife, Chris Dean, Junior Rasolea, Jason Harries; Jack Cuthbert, E McKirdy; Darryl Marfo, Neil Cochrane, N Borel; F Morrison, C Borthwick; Magnus Bradbury, Jamie Farndale, Rory Drummond.

Magnus Bradbury - the Edinburgh captain will play at Myreside this season, but, probably not for Watsonians.

This piece, or the selections should not be taken too-seriously, It is all just a wee bit of fun.

This Isn't Pap, And It Might Be A Warning To Us

FORMER Wallabies' centre Brett Papworth didn't miss his target and hit the wall this week, when he had a go at the Australian Rugby Union's “blazers” in a column in the Aussie magazine Rugby News. Here is the link

https://rugbynews.net.au/brett-papworth-as-you-sow-so-shall-you-reap/

Basically, Papworth, who it has to be admitted, is not a neutral observer, maintains that the ARU's obsession with elite performance, to the detriment of the club game has been bad for the game in that country.

 Former Wallaby centre Brett Papworth

Clubmen in Scotland will find themselves nodding in agreement, because several of the points Brett raises in his diatribe against the men in the corporate suits look uncannily like points I have heard raised up here, in the wake of the announcement of the Super Six franchises project.

In fact, I reckon my veteran Ayr contact, who, when the new set-up was announced at the SRU's agm, described it as: “A load of shite”, was maybe more prescient than even he thought.

I say this, because, I understand, those clubs which have made tentative enquiries to Murrayfield about perhaps taking-on one of the new franchises, have not been impressed by what they have heard.

Fair enough, a lot of detail has still to come-out, as has, most-importantly, the franchise agreement documents. But, from what they have learned thus far, and it aint much, the clubs are getting the impression this is another attempt by the High Heid Yins at Murrayfield to empire-build, by taking control of the clubs, just as they have done with the elite professional end of the game.

Now, to me, it makes sense for Scotland's elite players to be hot-housed together in two – or better still, three or four, full-time professional clubs, playing in the PRO14 or however many clubs it has.

BUT

The professional game cannot work in isolation – there has to be a link between the top men and the amateur players. It must still remain possible for a young player to start with his local club, perhaps move-on to a bigger one, then, if he is good enough and ambitious enough, get a professional contract and maybe a few Scotland caps.

Since the SRU split-off the two pro sides from the rest, then took control of the best young talent through the Academies, this once-smooth road to the top just got rockier.

Take a guy like my old sparring partner Billy “Gulliver” Cuthbertson. When I first got on the wrong end of Cubby's fist, he was an apprentice mechanic, playing for Marr 2^nd XV. Then, he got into the firsts, and was persuaded to move up to Kilmarnock.

Big Cubby - his career could not happen today

From there, he got into the Glasgow side, then the Scotland team – 21 caps, 11 games for the Barbarians - and he was eventually able through his own efforts to get out of the boiler suit, and, after joining Harlequins, coach rugby at a private school in West Sussex until he retired.

That could not happen today. Because, never having been on the performance pathway from Under-16, and while Marr College has a proud rugby tradition, above the Brown brothers and Cubby, it has never been one of Scotland's “top” rugby-playing schools; a young Cuthbertson, growing-up today, would be outside Murrayfield's preferred catchment area.

IF

the clubs are allowed to find their level, and given the support to fund their grass roots development and more importantly

IF

there is a link between the club game and the elite game, then the Super Six could work. However, from what we have been hearing this far, Murrayfield's control freakery means they will run things, their way and the clubs can either like it or lump it. Well I fear, again: WE ARE AWE DOOMED, DOOMED AH TELL YE!!

The preliminary outline which Mark Dodson revealed in his presentation to the agm seemed to imply, the elite game – the pro sides plus the academies would work in isolation. We would no longer see fringe professionals playing for clubs. There was a suggestion, late developers, which Cubby definitely was, might be able to cross the divide, but, no clear protocol for this.

AND

Keith Russell, the Director of Domestic Rugby, left his post earlier this year. The latest rumour is that Nick Rennie, the Head of Club Services has also left the building, just when club services are going to be really important with the changes outlined at the agm.

If rumours are correct, we will finally know what the Lesser-Spotted Johnson does

We hear the Director of Rugby, and another Murrayfield apparatchik are going to manage the Super Six, while, the very-tight timeline between the franchise documents going out to interested parties and the date by which they have to be returned was described to me by one potentially-interested club representative as: “Cancel Christmas”.

At least, we hear the Border clubs are seriously looking at a “South” franchise, but, they are unimpressed by what they are hearing from Murrayfield. Another hot rumour has it that, by hell or high water, the SRU WILL have a franchise in either Dundee or Aberdeen and arms are being twisted to try to make it happen.

Finally, we gather too, one or two of the SRU councillors were called-in for a dressing down by the High Heid Yins. Seemingly, Murrayfield was not best pleased that the clubs did not vote as they wanted at a couple of resolutions at the agm, which were lost, and the “sheepdogs” who failed to get the flock into line had to be chastised as a result.

As another club official said to me this week: “This is all about control and Murrayfield want just that – total control, things done their way.

Has nobody told Englishman Dodson, or Australian Johnson: you can persuade a Scotsman; if your persuasion is good and the rewards are there, he will follow you?

BUT

Trying to force a Scotsman, far less a whole battalion of them, to do something, is very often a self-defeating task.

The fun is only just starting.

Charity Begins At Home As A New Season Kicks-Off

I STILL long for the old days, when it was verboten to play a serious game of rugby before 1 September. Back then, there really was a big kick-off, and, boy were we ready to go.

These days, we sort of sidle, self-consciously onto the back pages, with “training games” warm-up games and the like. However, tomorrow, a week earlier than we might, we actually have some meaningful matches in Scotland.

One or two of the lesser trophy competitions kick-off, while, at the top level of the club game, it's a case of: “fancy meeting you again”, as Ayr and Melrose lock horns at Millbrae, with the SRU Charity Shield and the Bill McLaren Shield both up for grabs.

This will, for both clubs, be the third straight fixture in which they have gone head-to-head, following the BT Premiership Play-Off Final and the Scottish Cup Final at the end of last season. And, with the score standing at 1-1, this is a decider.

It promises to be another close game, as meetings between our two top club sides always are. Melrose are perhaps closer to what they would consider their best XV, but, this early in the season – who can say. There will be new faces on display, with the Ayr fans looking forward to seeing how newcomer Scott Lyle and old-stager Frazier Climo gel in midfield.

Scott Lyle - makes his competitive debut for Ayr

 

And, of course, there will some discussion about the proposed “Super Six”.

The proceeds are going to Doddie Weir's MND charity – a very-worthy cause and we understand, members of HM Press are even prepared to pay for admission to this one, which doesn't happen too often.

MEANWHILE, in the big boys' game of PRO14 warm-ups, Edinburgh take on Newcastle Falcons at the Greenyards tonight, while Glasgow Warriors are in darkest valley Wales, facing the Dragons in Ebbw Vale this afternoon.

One of the interesting side issues to the Edinburgh selection is Ryan Grant being named on the bench. In case you have forgotten, Grantie is a British Lion, he is only 31 and, as a prop – he ought to be in his prime.

Might "Cockers" be able to ressurect Ryan GRant's career?

I have always felt, the change to the scrum engagement laws hurt Ryan. Under the old engagement protocols, he was one of the absolute best there was, but, somehow he struggled to adapt when the call was changed a couple of seasons ago. Then, injuries and loss of form intervened. He maybe got too-cosy at Glasgow and needed a change of scenery, but, Worcester didn't work.

Now, he is looking for a fresh start and is back at Edinburgh, after seven years away. There, he will find, in Richard Cockerill, a kindred spirit from the Front Row Union – hopefully, Cockers can rekindle his flame. Certainly, given the way Edinburgh props seem to fall like nine-pins, a fit and focused Grant would be a terrific asset – not least because he can play on both sides of the front row; while having him back and firing on all cylinders would be good for Scotland too.

Interesting too, to see Cockers has retrieved Dougie Fife from the Sevens Squad bin, and he starts on the wing at Melrose. He's the sort of big, rangy winger Cockerill likes. Watch this space.

Dave Rennie is again giving his young guns game time, although Leila Masaga, one of the new arrivals from south of the Equator will be eased into action at the Vale.

WELL DONE Hollie Davidson, who will be on one of the lines for the Women's Rugby World Cup Final, between the New Zealand Black Ferns and some team which plays in all-white with a red rose.

Well done Hollie Davidson

Hollie's appointment, coming as it does on the back of Mike Adamson doing so-well in the Olympic Sevens in Rio last year, shows that Scottish refereeing is emerging from the doldrums.

Hollie and Mikey are just two of several very-good young referees coming through from Scotland, watch young Sam Grove-White too, and, if the PRO14 can ever sort-out the Irish refereeing “Murphyia” our emerging whistlers might have a bright future.

I AM pleased to see an international company like Mitsubishi getting involved as sponsors of the SRU's Youth and Schools Conferences, under a new deal announced this week.

These conferences, in spite of media indifference, have been a success and hopefully will continue to be thus.

Can I bang the drum here for my ain wee Cumnock club, who will be competing in the 11-club Galant Conference in the new season. Cumnock's 1^st XV plays in West Division Two of the BT leagues set-up, but, the club's young Galants will be taking on: Glasgow Hawks (BT Premiership), Cartha-Queen's Park and GHA (National League 1), Dumfries Saints and Whitecraigs (National League 2), Dalziel (National League 3), Dunfermline (Caledonian League 1), Allan Glen's, East Kilbride and Greenock Wanderers (West Division 1) and Livingston (East Division 1).

This Cumnock Kid has gone far in rugby

All ten clubs operate at a higher level than Cumnock, while some carry among the more-distinguished names in Scottish rugby – yet, the Cumnock boys are in there on merit and will not – I fancy - finish bottom of the conference.

Cumnock face a tough season on all fronts. Building work is due to start soon on the new “super school” which will replace the Cumnock and Auchinleck Academies, and which may in time do on a wider canvas what Cumnock Rugby Club has been doing for nigh-on 60-years, giving the youth of Auchinleck and Cumnock common cause for which to fight, rather than fighting each other.

This building work means, Cumnock will lose the use of their Broomfield pitches and, for the season and maybe longer, they will decamp to Netherthird, on the outskirts of the town, to play their games – before returning to new, fit-for-purpose pitches on the site of the present Cumnock Academy. It will be worth the disruption.