It Was Bad, But, Maybe Not As Black As It Is Painted

THE GREAT Norman Mair used to joke (or maybe he wasn't joking) that Scotland's disastrous run of 17 straight defeats in the early 1950s was God's punishment on the selectors for dropping him after the second game of the run – the Calcutta Cup match of 1951.

Norman Mair - thought the selectors had boobed, 

and never missed a chance to remind them

Or perhaps the greatest scribe in Scottish rugby history had a point, as an analysis of the selections over that long-ago but not forgotten period shows. Norman was dropped for the visit of the South Africans, in November 1951; a match which Scotland lost 44-0 (that's 62-0 in present-day scoring values). JAR Macphail of Edinburgh Academicals, who had been chosen instead of Mair was never capped again. The South African game was his second cap, coming nearly three years after his first.

In all, the selectors used nine different hookers over the 17 games, with none getting more than three successive games.

A total of 73 players, from 31 different clubs, were capped during this dismal run. The most-used were two of the all-time greats, Douglas Elliot of Edinburgh Academicals and Peter Kininmonth of Richmond, each taking the field in 11 of the 17 games. They were among six different captains appointed over the games, the others being Angus Cameron, Arthur Dorward, JNG Davidson and Jim Greenwood.

Of the 73 players, 24 were only used once – although several of the five new caps from the final game in the series, the loss to France, in Paris in 1955, would be capped again once we re-discovered the winning habit in the next game – 'Arthur Smith's Match' against Wales on 5 February, 1955 – when we found a way to win at last.

Some of the selections, even today, were baffling. The great Jim Greenwood was blooded in match four of the series, the narrow 11-13 loss to France at Murrayfield, in January, 1952. He was then out in the cold until recalled for the trip to France on 8 January, 1955 – match 17 – when he was given the captaincy. At the end of that 1955 series, he was a Test starter for the Lions in South Africa.

That mauling from the Springboks has somewhat skewed perceptions of how we played back then. Six of the games were lost by less than a converted try. Our average margin of defeat at Murrayfield was 12 points, while on the road, we lost by an average of 11 points. If we disregard the Springbok game, our average margin of defeat at Murrayfield falls to eight points.

Again, leaving aside the South African result, our heaviest defeats were both by 18 points, to Ireland, at Murrayfield, on 28 February, 1953 and to England at Twickenham three weeks later.

The selectors of the time have often been accused of going into panic mode, the longer the run continued. This is maybe a tad unfair. In all, they made a total of 85 changes over the 17 games – an average of five per match. They actually, twice, kept an unchanged team, and in only five of their sessions did they make what might be called “wholesale” changes – by altering more than half the team.

There is also the perception that, as the run continued, more and more caps were handed-out indiscriminately, to create a generation of 'one-cap wonders,' (OCWs). Well, the truth is, only 12 of the 73 players used can be described as an OCW.

For instance, JGM Hart of London Scottish had the misfortune to be capped, for the only time, in that 0-44 loss to the Springboks in 1951, while M Walker of Oxford University got his only cap against France in 1952. The England match of the same year produced three OCWs – 'Basher' Inglis of Selkirk, DS Gilbert-Smith of London Scottish and Percy Friebe of Glasgow High School FP.

The 8-26 Murrayfield loss to Ireland, in February, 1953, took an even heavier toll on the new caps that day. KM Spence of London Scottish, GC Hayer-Miller of Oxford University, JH Wilson of Watsonians and EH Henricksen of Royal High School FP all won their only caps in that disaster.

The following game, against England at Twickenham also produced an 18 point defeat, but only two OCWs -W Kerr of London Scottish and WLK Cowie of Edinburgh Wanderers. Then, in the final game of the losing run, H Duffy of Jedforest won his only cap; he was then injured when the selectors organised an extra trial before the Welsh game – and for him, there was no way back thereafter.

Given the power which the great John M Bannerman supposedly wielded around Murrayfield back then, it is hardly surprising that his club, Glasgow High School FP should have had the most players capped during the run, a total of seven. London Scottish also had seven players capped, although that might more-correctly be eight, since winger Ian Swan, better known as a star at the Richmond Athletic Ground, won the first of his caps during this period, while in the Army.

The spread of the clubs having players capped was wide. No less than ten English clubs had players capped, seven Edinburgh clubs saw their men honoured, as did seven Borders clubs. Five Glasgow clubs had their men selected while Dunfermline, through Greenwood, and Aberdeen University, via Ernie Michie, were also represented.

Yes, you cannot argue other than a run of 17 straight defeats was bad, but, we were maybe a wee but unlucky in some of the games, a story which is not that uncommon when you look at the history of Scottish Rugby.

RIP Adam Gray - You Will Be A Huge Loss

AS IF things were not bad enough in Scottish Rugby, we suffered a big blow on Wednesday evening, when Adam Gray passed away in the Golden Jubilee Hospital, where he had been receiving treatment for a heart problem.

The late Adam Gray - you know he was important

since he's allowed to hold the Calcutta Cup without

wearing gloves. He was one of the best guys.

I only got to know Adam over the last 18 months – he was deployed by Murrayfield to: “have a word,” after The Junta identified Aristotle as a potential threat. We agreed about more than we disagreed on, and he truly was a gentleman, with whom it was a pleasure to talk.

Adam was definitely one of the best guys. He was an absolute tower of strength to Stewartry, as he would later be in both his paid and unpaid service to the SRU as a staff member, then as a Council member.

He put in long hours on Union business, just travelling up from his farm in the Stewartry of Kircudbright to meetings in Edinburgh, or going round the far-flung clubs in his Glasgow South constituency, Adam worked tirelessly for the game – while also running the family's successful dairy farm

Adam was the archetypal club man – sure, as a board member, he had to interact with the high heid yins of the other top nations, but, I think he was perhaps happiest with ordinary clubmen, since he knew the problems they had to face on a daily basis.

His death is also unfortunate, given he was a member of the SRU Council's Governance Taskforce, to which he would surely have given serious and meaningful input.

He will be missed, and he will be extremely difficult to replace. My thoughts are with his family and the members of Stewartry, who have lost a giant.

ADAM GRAY wasn't the only good guy we lost this week. Yesterday, Hawick announced that wee George Graham was standing down as Head Coach.

At least George will still be around, and offering I am sure, his trenchant views on the game, hopefully for a good while yet, but, just how the Greens will replace him is a big issue for them.

Maybe Hawick and George Graham were meant for each other. They were certainly a good fit, and the way he turned the club's fortunes around once he took over speaks volumes for his coaching ability.

It was a joy to listen to his post-match match analysis, and, whatever he does on Saturdays from now on – I wish the wee man well. It was a pleasure knowing you George.

I WAS hoping to complete my list of Best-ever Scottish XVs with teams of Kilted Kiwis and South Africans, but, in the case of the Kiwis, there were plenty of backs and flankers, but a dearth of front five guys, while with the Saffers, a distinct lack of backs. So, I decided not to bother.

Any way, World Rugby has posted on Facebook, asking for nominations for The Greatest Try you've ever seen. Well, being Scottish, I am spoiled for choice – I doubt if few nations have scored as many great length of the park tries as we Scots have. We certainly seem to have a penchant for successfully attacking from deep – while repeatedly hitting a brick wall when encamped in the opposition 22.

Glasgow Warriors have scored a fair few coast to coast tries, as have Scotland, from Arthur Smith's try against Wales in 1955, right up to date. But, for me, I think the pick has to be that one Roger Baird initiated from almost on his own line at Cardiff back in 1982; eventually finished-off by Jim Calder, following cameos from Alan Tomes and Iain Paxton.

At club level, one that still sticks out, was scored by Ayr against Glasgow University back in the early 1970s. Full back Andrew Pickles ran the ball out from behind his own line and every Ayr player, except right winger Brian Boucher-Myers handled, before Jock Craig, one-handed, took a Les McCall pass off his ankles and gave it on for Alistair McLelland to score – that's the two second rows and the loose-head prop as the last three to handle.

Of course, a lot of people will go with Gareth Edwards' try for the Barbarians, against the All Blacks back in 1973, or his fantastic solo effort against us at Cardiff, when he finished up in the cinders.

I dare say that Tony Stanger try from 1990 will be up there, along with any one of perhaps half a dozen tries, scored by various French XVs, which started from a different post code from where they finished.

Hail Caledonia - And The Input From The Anglo-Scots

TODAY, I continue my series of “Best-ever XVs” with one of the hardest ones yet – my Best-Ever Caledonia XV. What made this one particularly difficult was, so-many top players from elsewhere, were actually born in Caledonia, but had to move away to gain recognition.

Some look at region as the weakest in Scotland, well, when you see the quality of the players in my squad, plus one or two who didn't make the cut, that view is clearly wrong.

Again, I don't expect my team to be universally welcomed, and I look forward to the dissenting voices having their say, but, as-ever in 1-23 order, here is the squad I came up with – with the help of one or two good judges of players from that ilk.

Dave Rollo - An absolute shoo-in for the Caledonia XV

1. At loose-head, one of the legendary “Tillicoultry Trogs”, John Manson (Hillfoots)
2. Hooking duties go to that wee lump of aggression that is Kevin McKenzie (Stirling County).
3. One of the absolute absolute shoo-ins for a place, the legend that is Dave Rollo (Howe of Fife).
4. Despite having no Caledonia clubs listed on his escutcheon, this guy is in the Aberdeen Sporting Hall of Fame, and rightly so – step forward Stuart Grimes (Gordonians).
5. Alongside him, one of the present-day stars – the big man from the wee county – Grant Gilchrist (Alloa).
6. He may be considered: “The most under-capped player in Scottish rugby history,” but, there was no way I was leaving him out of this team. I give you Ron Glasgow (Dunfermline).
7. And who would want to be a stand-off playing against this team, since, the other flanker, and captain, is David Leslie (Dundee HSFP).
8. The choice of number eight was a toss-up, since I had two British Lions to pick from. In the end, the jersey goes to Iain Paxton (Glenrothes).
9. Scrum-half was another position where I had British Lions to select from, plus one weel-kent Scottish legend. So, in the end, the place went to Chris Cusiter (Watsonians).
10. Another of today's stars gets the vital number ten role – and unlike Gregor Townsend, I didn't think I had the luxury of leaving him out. My stand off is Finn Russell (Stirling County).
11. The left winger is a guy who won nearly 20 caps at a time when there were fewer internationals, while combining Army service with playing for top English sides such as Leicester and Coventry cost him caps – as Anglo-Scots back in the 1950s could only be capped if they played for London Scottish. He had to turn down an invitation to be a 1955 Lion – today he'd have over 50 caps. Ian Swan (St Andrew's University)
12. One of the all-time greats of Scottish rugby gets the inside centre role, the great Newtonmore-born star of the 1920s – GPS 'Phil” Macpherson (Oxford University).
13. Playing alongside him, one of the strs of the 1960s John Frame (Edinburgh University).
14. Perhaps better-known as the manager of the legendary 1971 Lions in New Zealand, but, himself a star winger of the immediate post-war era, wearing 14: Douglas Smith (Aberdeen University).
15. My choice at full-back might seem strange, but, he was such a terrific player, he could I am certain have played anywhere in the back division. I was determined to get him into the team somewhere, so, the place goes to Chris Rea (St Andrew's University).
16. I was struggling to find a back-up hooker, until I discovered this guy, who had almost made my Glasgow XV, was born in Dingwall, so, come on down Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors).
17. But for the presence of Davie Rollo, he would have started, another of the Tillicoultry Trogs – Danny Herrington (Hillfoots).
18. This guy could play anywhere across the front row, so he is an invaluable bench man – Iain Stanger (Aberdeen Grammar).
19. Another legend, one of the guys who ended the 17-game run of defeats, and was then a Lion in South Africa in 1955, man of many clubs: Ernie Michie (Aberdeen University).
20. Another of the 1955 Lions, widely-recognised as the best coach Scotland never had, covering the back row from the bench: Jim Greenwood (Dunfermline).
21. A British Lion, who led Scotland to one of their most-iconic wins in recent years, but, only a bench place as back-up scrum half for Andy Nicol (Dundee HSFP).
22. The back-up mdifield bench selection is down to fear on my part – he'd kill me if I didn't pick him, so, step up please Brian Edwards (Boroughmuir).
23. The back-up outside back is one of those dual internationalists who were once so-common, a sprinter and long jumper, but better-known as a winger David Whyte (Edinburgh Wanderers).

AN ANGLO-SCOT is generally considered to be a Scot who plies his sporting trade in England. However, over the years, some of the top players for various Scotland teams have been English-born, but qualifying to wear the thistle through parents or grand-parents. Here is my selection of the Best of these:

1. Picking the loose-head was a major headache, since I had two absolutely-outstanding players to pick from. In the end, it was his additional gratness as a captain which got the jersey for David Sole (St Luke's College, Exeter).
2. Back to the 1950s for my hooker, to an Anglo who missed out on a few caps,because he told the selectors of the time things they didn't want to hear. He later became a leading coach, so the hooker's berth goes to Bob MacEwen (Cambridge University).
3. My tight-head is one of the quiet men of the 1990 Grand Slam, a guy who has given a lifetime of service to his club – Paul Burnell (London Scottish).
4. But for injury this guy would have won a lot more Scotland caps. He was famously found to be Scotland-qualified, when his mother was seen supporting him, wearing a Hearts scarf. Her son became a British Lion, and led Scotland – Andy Reed (Bath).
5. Every side need “an enforcer,” and few did the job better than this guy – Jim Hamilton (Leicester)
6. The blind-side flanker was one of those quiet guys, who simply got things done, and led from the front: Budge Pountney (Northampton Saints).
7. Next up, the current poster boy for Anglo-Scots, the one and only “The Mish,” Hamish Watson (Edinburgh).
8. One of the last of the amateurs, and first of the professionals, my number eight switched to Scotland, after playing age grade rugby for England, and never regretted his move, as he went on to captain Scotland – Eric Peters (Cambridge University).
9. He has this season become Scotland's starting nine, so he gets that gig for the Anglos – Ali Price (Bedford Blues).
10. An absolute shoo-in, you could not pick a team of Anglo-Scots without picking this Yorkshire-born son of a former Argyll & Sutherland Highlander – Sir Ian McGeechan (Headingley).
11. The left winger is former professional golfer and ocasional centre – Max Evans (London Scottish).
12. Inside centre is one of our more-recent stars, Duncan Taylor (Saracens).
13. Another of today's big names, a player who became more influential as the curtailed 2020 Six Nations unfolded – Chris Harris (Newcastle Falcons/Gloucester).
14. Every team needs a good-luck charm, and this guy gaiend a reputation as such during his Scotland career. On the right wing “Lucky” Jim Pollok (Gosforth).
15. A star of the 1960s, as national captain and a British Lion – the full back is: Stewart Wilson (Oxford University).
16. The back-up hooker was a fixture in Scotland's “Mean Machine” pack of the 1970s – Duncan Madsen (Gosforth).
17. Very unfortunate not to be in the starting XV, but, a fantastic prop for Scotland and the Lions, now fighting the biggest battler of his life, against Cancer – Tom Smith (Dundee HSFP).
18. Embarrassingly, after over 40 caps for Scotland, it was discovered that this replacement Anglo, didn't actually qualify for Scotland. However, he buckled down, qualified on residency and did get a deserved cap – David Hilton (Bath)
19. My other two bench replacement forwards each have the ability to play across the back five. First up is Tim Swinson (Tynedale)
20. The second of the pair is another of today's big names – Sam Skinner (Exeter).
21. My reserve scrum-half might have thought his Scotland career was over, when left out of the original squad, but, a late call-up allowed him to add to his caps tally in 2019 – Henry Pyrgos (Loughborough University).
22. Very-much a coming man, with his best Scotland years ahead of him, but, I have no hesitation in picking this man – Rory Hutchison (Northampton Saints).
23. I was amazed to discover the final squad member was actually an Anglo-Scot – and, he could supply the gin for the post-match G&Ts – come on down Ruaridh Jackson.

As always with these teams, dissenting voices and opinions welcomed, join the debate.

How About These For An Inter-Cities Match-Up?

THANKS to everyone who has commented on my Best-ever Ayrshir and Borders XVs. So, on a roll, I am today publishing two more of these teams – covering “The Rest of Glasgow” that is, excluding Ayrshire, and Edinburgh.

I hope these are as well-received as the previous two squads have been. For the record, I select these squads on a “State of Origin” basis; as far as possible the first selection criteria is where the player was born and schooled.

So, here goes, starting with the “Rest of Glasgow” squad, which, as ever in 1-23 order, is:

1. Alan Watt (GHK)
2. Gordon Bulloch (Hutcheson's GSFP)
3. AB 'Sandy' Carmichael (West of Scotland)
4. Richie Gray (GHK)
5. Jonny Gray (Cambuslang)
6. Kelly Brown (Glasgow Warriors)
7. John Barclay (Glasgow Hawks)
8. John Beattie (Glasgow Academicals)
9. Ewan McCorkindale (GHK)
10. Wilson Shaw (Glasgow High School FP)
11. Matt Duncan (West of Scotland)
12. Graeme Morrison (GHA)
13. Andy Henderson (GHA)
14. Arthur Smith (Captain) (Glasgow University)
15. Angus Cameron (Glasgow High School FP)
16. Rodney Balfour (Glasgow High School FP)
17. George Graham (Stirling County)
18. James “Muff” Scobbie (Stirling County)
19. Alistair Kellock (Allan Glen's)
20. Rob Harley (West of Scotland)
21. Mark McMillan (Stirling County)
22. Brian Simmers (Glasgow Academicals)
23. Kenny Logan (Stirling County).

For those of you about to point out, Kelly Brown is a Borderer, while John Barclay was born in Hong Kong and John Beattie in North Borneo; yes, I know that, but, other than to put John Beattie in ahead of son Johnnie, I wasn't going to break-up the legendary 'Killer Bees' back row unit.

Co-selector George Breckenridge - gets to coach the Rest of Glasgow XV

My thanks, by the way, to George Breckenridge, for his assistance in putting together this squad. He gets the coaching gig, with Shade Munro looking after the forwards.

ALONG the M8, at Murrayfield, another squad will assemble. This one reads:

1. Alan Jacobsen (Preston Lodge FP)
2. Kenny Milne (Heriot's FP)
3. Iain Milne (Heriot's FP)
4. Roger Arneil (Edinburgh Academicals)
5. John Douglas (Stewart's College FP)
6. Jim Calder (Stewart's-Melville FP)
7. Fin Calder (Stewart's-Melville FP)
8. Pringle Fisher (Royal High School FP)
9. Dougie Morgan (Melville College FP)
10. Ken Scotland (Heriot's FP)
11. Iwan Tukalo (Royal High School FP)
12. Scott Hastings (Watsonians)
13. David Johnston (Watsonians)
14. Andy Irvine (Heriot's FP)
15. Gavin Hastings (Watsonians)
16. Norman Mair (Edinburgh University)
17. Norrie Rowan (Boroughmuir)
18. Peter Wright (Liberton FP)
19. Erle Mitchell (Edinburgh University)
20. Kevin Rafferty (Heriot's FP)
21. Mike Blair (Edinburgh Academicals)
22. Eddie McKeating (Heriot's FP)
23. Bruce Hay (Liberton FP)

Some may question my second row pairing. Douglas locked the scrum for Scotland and The Lions, while I am told Arneil played lock at school, and they were a couple of players my Edinburgh contacts, such as Bill Lothian, were keen to get into the XV, which will be coached by Frank Hadden.

Me recalling this try got David Johnston a late call-up to my Edinburgh XV

As ever, let's hear it from those with alternative selections, or keen to point-out the obvious selections I have missed. For instance, it was only when wakened by my old cat, at 3.55am this morning, that it came into my head – I hadn't picked David Johnston for the Edinburgh squad, so he went straight in.

Is This Your Idea Of The Best From The Borders?

MY ALL-TIME Ayrshire XV of the weekend certainly caused a wee bit of a stir – with Kilmarnock members telling me I hadn't selected enough Bellsland men, Ayr members telling me, too-few Millbrae stalwarts, but, almost everyone agreeing, John “The Ayatollah” McHarg was probably the only man who could keep all the egos in-check and get that pack firing on all cylinders.

David Barnes of The Offside Line liked the idea, but, has challenged me to select a Best-ever Borders XV, suggesting that would really cause ructions.

Who else but this man could lead my Borders XV

So, never one to side-step a challenge, how about this Big Barney:

1. No argument, there can be only one, loose-head is Hugh McLeod (Hawick).
2. Again, when it comes to the hooker, no argument, it has to be Colin Deans (Hawick).
3. Tight-head; from a number of contenders, I have gone for Gala's Jim Aitken.
4. Back to Hawick for the boiler-house pairing, first up, the one and only Alan Tomes.
5. Providing the grunt alongside him, one of my early Scotland heroes – Billy Hunter.
6. I was absolutely spoilt for choice in the back row, but, the number six shirt goes to a Kelso man, the White Shark, John Jeffrey.
7. At seven, yet another member of The Green Machine – Hawick's Derrick Grant.
8. In selecting any Borders XV, there is one man who cannot be left out, captaining the team from number eight – Jim Telfer (Melrose).
9. The nine has to be a Jedforest man, but, which one? Well, because we think of them as such a pairing, the place goes to Roy Laidlaw.
10. The stand-off is another shoo-in, you cannot pick Laidlaw without Selkirk's John Rutherford.
11. Another Kelso man gets the number 11 shirt – Roger Baird.
12. I had to get him into the back division somewhere, so at inside centre – Gregor Townsend (Gala).
13. Playing alongside him in a centre pairing of all the talents, yet another Man of Mansfield, the one and only Jim Renwick.
14. I am having to leave out a national hero to do this, but, the team needs a reliable place kicker, so, on the wing – Chris Paterson.
15. Finally, yet another player who could not be left out – Stuart Hogg.
16. First up on the bench, the back-up hooker, Gary Callander (Kelso).
17. Back-up loose-head, the versatile Norman Suddon (Hawick).
18. The back-up tight-head is another player from the 1950s, Gala's Tom Elliot.
19. This guy can cover all five back five places, Derek Turnbull (Hawick).
20. Completing the forward cover, the legend that is Doddie Weir.
21. So close to the starting XV, so, scrum half cover is provided by another Riverside hero – Gary Armstrong.
22. Yet another of my boyhood heroes, the great Geordie Stevenson (Hawick).
23. Covering the wings, the man who scored THAT try – Hawick's Tony Stanger.

We would give them a game up front with my Ayrshire XV, but, that Borders back division, they would cause any team bother, on even the most-restricted rations.

The coaching situation could be interesting. We might well end up with Hughie McLeod convening a coaching committee of Messrs Telfer, Grant and Townsend - with additional input coming from elsewhere.

Now, let me see – what other Best-ever XVs can I select, to keep me sane at this time? Watch this space.

Let's Hear It For The Winners

THE AWARDS season kicked-off a wee bit earlier than normal this year – for all too-obvious reasons. However, with the game in lockdown, I doubt if many will be able to follow the Glasgow North Region, who announced their winners earlier this week.

With assistance from Mitsubishi and Tennent's and the active involvement of the SRU's Regional Development Team, plus the active support of Glasgow North Regional Council Representative and SRU Board member) Willie Gardner – five awards were dished out, with the added bonus of recognition for runners-up in each category.

First up was Young Volunteer of the Season, limited to people aged between 16 and 26 years. The winner here was Alistair McConnell of Allan Glen's, who just held off the challenge of Luke Barbour of Whitecraigs.

Schools Rugby Volunteer of the Year was Lorri Luca of St Peter's High School, with an honourable mention to Gordy Reid of Eastwood High School.

Stephen Runney of Cartha-Queen's Park took the Youth Volunteer of the Year prize, just pipping the well-travelled and hard-working Lee Buckley of Mid-Argyll, whose work is appreciated by all the far-flung clubs in Argyll.

These three awards were sponsored by Mitsubishi, with the final two awards sponsored by Tennent's.

Jim Adams was Allan Glen's second winner of the season, when he took the Ault Volunteer of the Season Award, with John McLaughlin of Cambuslang hot on his heels.

The final award announced was Club of the Season, which went to Biggar RFC, whose feat in winning Tennent's National League One from a field including the Club XVs of the six FOSROC SUPER6 franchises was merely the public tip of a well-run operation.

“Without the hard work of the countless volunteers who keep the club game going, Scottish Rugby could not function and it is good to see the efforts of all these valued volunteers, not just the winners, recognised in this way,” said Willie Gardner.

WHEN, as now, you don't have much in the way of reality to write about, it's an old journalistic tactic to speculate and to pick all-time teams.

In my lengthy spell at the coal face, I've had to pick a few of these, so, today, I thought I'd put all that experience to good use and select the first of what could be several “Best XVs”, starting at home with my All-Time Ayrshire XV.

The criteria for this one is, the players selected had to be born in or raised in God's County, and to have played for an Ayrshire club. As ever, I have picked a 23-man squad, which (in 1-23 order) is:

Ian McLauchlan (Ayr Academy), Pat McArthur, Jock Craig (Ayr), Gordon Brown, Billy Cuthbertson (Marr) Alistair McHarg (Irvine), Gordon Strachan (Ayr) Peter Brown (captain) (Marr); Bryan Gossman (Ardrossan), Derrick Lee (Ayr), David Shedden (Old Spierians), Ian Murchie (Ardrossan), Mark Bennett (Cumnock), Steven Munro (Ayr), Niven Rose (Dalry HSFP). Replacements: Gordy Reid, Quintin Dunlop, Jock McClure (Ayr), David Gray, David Good (Kilmarnock); Sandy Service (Ayr), Derek Stark (Kilmarnock), John Brown (Ayr).

The county's two Lions Legends and the other ten internationalists in the starting XV were always going to be picked. But for injury, Ian Murchie too would have been a full cap, while, but for the brilliance of Andy Irvine, I feel certain Niven Rose too would have won a full cap.

My philosophy when selecting these eclectic teams is always – a good player in one generation would have been a good player in any generation. I fancy that pack of forwards would ensure, my Stars o' Rabbie Burns Country enjoyed the bulk of possession, regardless of opposition – while there are a lot of tries in that back division.

Now comes the problem – who would have the strength of character to knock that lot into shape and formulate a coaching strategy. I was tempted to hand coaching control to Campbell Bone – the PE teacher who encouraged rugby at various schools and clubs across the county, but, in the end I decided to give the gig to Bone's successor, the present-day Ayrshire coaching guru – the squad is yours to lick into shape John McHarg.

While the current emergency lasts, can I say, these pages are open to anyone who wishes to select an all-time team from elsewhere in Scotland, or for fellow Ayrshiremen, to assure me, my selection is pish.

Bring Back The Knock-Out - You Know It Makes Sense

AT TIMES like these, with no actual games as diversion, the thoughts of many rugby men drift towards hypothesis – questions such as: how could we make our great game even greater; what past but now forgotten thing about rugby would you bring back?

With this in mind, I have dug an old hobby horse of mine out of the lobby press and hereby suggest: Why don't we bring back competitions such as the old Glasgow District Knock-Out Cup?

The Knock-Out was a cracking competition, I well recall how, in 1969, my own Cumnock Rugby Club's run to the semi-final, and eventual loss to a West of Scotland side including Gordon Brown and several other weel-kent faces, but who snatched possible victory from us thanks to Ian Murchie deciding, with ten minutes left and Cumnock leading: “There is no way I am losing to these Cumnock bastards.”

 Ian Murchie - took trailing Cumnock personally

The Knock-Out was devised in 1960 and, in that inaugural season, there wasn't even a trophy to be awarded at the conclusion. That didn't stop the Glasgow District clubs embracing it gladly, with the matches mainly played in midweek at the start, then the end of the season.

The final four came down to Glasgow High School FP, who beat Kilmarnock in one semi, while Ayr beat Clarkston in the other. Ayr's win came in sudden-death extra time, courtesy of a dropped goal from centre Norman Wilson.

The final was played on 30 April, 1961, the very-last possible day of the regular season, at Auldhouse, the result being a 12-3 win for High School. They scored three tries, through Alistair Smith, Ian Docherty and Gordon Hall, while Scotland lock Hamish Kemp, who had succeeded the now retired Angus Cameron as High School's place kicker, with his old-fashioned to-end style, goaled a second half penalty.

The Ayr points came from a try by number eight Tom Gilchrist and the Glasgow Herald's report praised Ayr's “battle-hardened” hooker George Reid, the ferocious footwork of flanker Jim Hood at the rucks, and the fervent backing the losers received from the Ayr support.

The teams were - Glasgow High School FP: Ian Dallas; Alistair Smith, David Webster, Ian Docherty, Charlie Hodgson; Gillie Greig, Peter Dodds; Lawrence Dagg, Ian Williamson, Campbell McLaren, Hamish Kemp, Ian Pretsell, Gordon Hall, Dick Andrews (Capt), Neil McCormack (later Professor Sir Neil).

Ayr: John Rennie; Rory Colquhoun, Norman Wilson, Alastair McMillan, Peter Connolly; Frank Jamieson, Douglas Duncanson; Ian McMillan, George Reid, Ian Hay; Ken McLelland, Alistair McLelland, Jim Hood, Tom Gilchrist, David Dingwall. 

Ayr reaching the final was good for the competition, since at that time they were still a “junior” club. They were still playing at the Council-owned King George V Playing Fields, they didn't have a club-house and the move to Millbrae was still a wee bit in the future.

Indeed, three of the semi-finalists, Ayr, Clarkston and Kilmarnock were “junior” clubs. But, by year two, the established Glasgow sides – those in the then Unofficial Championship such as Glasgow Accies, West and Hutchesons' GSFP began to take an interest in the new event.

That great servant of Glasgow District Rugby, John Roxburgh, who was around at the time, recalls how in the early years, there was no dominant force. He says: “High School won the inaugural tournament, then Accies won it in 1962. It was our turn (Jordanhill College) in 1963, then, the following year we lost to Hutchie in the final, so four different winners in the first four seasons.”

That got the bigger clubs interested, but it was Jordanhill College, then only just being recognised as a “senior” side who would be the first team to win it twice. They first triumphed in 1963, lost to Hutchie the following eyar, but gained their revenge over Hutchie by winning the 1965 final 6-3.

In 1966, Jordanhill were again in the final, facing West of Scotland. The result here was an 11-0 win for West, to lift the trophy for the first time.

By then, with all the “big” clubs involved, the Knock-Out had found its niche in the season. It kept players playing into April, there were midweek matches, which got the non-players along to spectate, and, with the County Cups, such as the Ayrshire and Renfrewshire Cups, which also operated at the time, rugby in the West was in a healthy, vibrant condition – arguably much better than today.

The Knock-Out and the County Cups enabled ordinary club players to test themselves against top players. You look at the names of some of the players involved: Ian McLauchlan, Peter Brown, Hamish Kemp, David Shedden, Sandy Carmichael, Quintin Dunlop, Charlie Hodgson – all internationalists.

Interestingly, High School built on that 1961 success, to go on and win the Unofficial Championship the following season.

How many players from “lesser” clubs, after locking horns with top players like these, decided, I'd like to test myself at a higher level? How many of the big clubs spotted a player with a lesser club who they thought could do a job for them?

I reckon, if we ever get back to normality – bringing back competitions such as the Knock-Out would be good for Scottish rugby, assuming tonight's announcement of the premature ending of the season is eventually rescinded. Let's do it.