the Greatest Rivalry Starts Tonight

THE LONG-AWAITED All Blacks tour of South Africa kicks off tonight, and I will be making the best-possible use of my Sky capabilities to watch the games. It should get those of us watching nicely built-up for the resumption of hostilities in the domestic game at the end of the month.

Of course, the big issue facing Scottish Rugby as we get ready for season 2026-27 I s – who is going to pick-up the poisoned chalice of being the next Chief Executive Officer at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.

Everyone makes mistakes – I mean, the good people of the United States of America have twice elected Donald Trump as President, moves which make the SRU's recent string of poor appointments look like sensible decisions. However, it is past time we got the right man or woman into the top job at EH12.

Of course, the Junta will totally ignore my advice – which is: get yourselves down to his office in Miller Road, Ayr and make Billy McHarg an offer he cannot possibly refuse – then sit back and let the outstanding club administration of this generation sort out the mess that is Murrayfield.

GOOD LUCK to Mark Bennett, who has come back from the American colonies and has moved into coaching, taking-up an appointment as an Assistant Coach with Marr – yet another case of that bunch from Troon stealing knowledge and talent from Cumnock!!!

I WAS SORRY but not al all surprised, to learn this week that Louise McMillan has joined the drift away from the Scotland Women's team; calling time on her international career after ten years and 61 caps.

Louise will now concentrate on her club career with Saracens – good luck to here there.

It would be fair to say, the girl from Birkmyre has suffered more than most from the many changes of coaches and directions in the women's side over the past decade. Some National Coaches clearly didn't fancy her but, when called upon, she always gave 100% to the jersey. Thank you for your service Louise.

THE NEW domestic season kicks off in 15 days; which merely proves how Rugby Union has now become virtually a year-round sport. We really need to look at the seasonal calendar and tweak things. The width has now exceeded the quality.