The Official Scottish Rugby Thread

[I like neeps]

I'll butt out now but God I am going to remember this when we skull fuck you in a few months

Easy there ER2. This is just the usual glimmer-of-hope phase us Scots go through at this point in the RWC cycle. The fertile part of our cycle, so to speak, where we spawn unlikely scenarios of glory like a frog in spring. We'll still bleed when it matters, as always.

I just am finding rugby a stupid game the last 48 hours. It's just stupid and pointless and I hate it

Try feeling like that for 20 years and get back to us

[Biffer]

Easy there ER2. This is just the usual glimmer-of-hope phase us Scots go through at this point in the RWC cycle. The fertile part of our cycle, so to speak, where we spawn unlikely scenarios of glory like a frog in spring. We'll still bleed when it matters, as always.

I just am finding rugby a stupid game the last 48 hours. It's just stupid and pointless and I hate it

Try feeling like that for 20 years and get back to us

Aye, welcome to our world. And the world of your fathers and grandfathers.

[KingBlairhorn]

Porter is started to get noticed with his unique views on what straight means at scrum time too.

Absolutely, he can’t scrummage and Furlong is done

Jeez, that's a bit of a hot take Slick! IMO Furlong is a top 5 tighthead of all time, let alone right now. I expect him to utterly ruin some opposing scrums at the WC, regardless of whether he is on his absolute top form or not.

[laurent]

Porter is started to get noticed with his unique views on what straight means at scrum time too.

Absolutely, he can’t scrummage and Furlong is done

Jeez, that's a bit of a hot take Slick! IMO Furlong is a top 5 tighthead of all time, let alone right now. I expect him to utterly ruin some opposing scrums at the WC, regardless of whether he is on his absolute top form or not.

He was not fit (did not do the captain run and warmed up separately).

[Biffer]

Try feeling like that for 20 years and get back to us

Aye, welcome to our world. And the world of your fathers and grandfathers.

I am not that young lads. My first international was 1982 when we won a triple crown but weirdly I remember the 1985 one much more vividly. When I was a kid Scotland were Ireland and would beat us year in year out. Did you not beat us something like ten years in a row in the late 80s/90's. That's the rugby I remember. I am acutely aware it can all go to shit quickly. I'm fact I thought after 2018 we might have a right few fallow years but this year was a nice surprise

Yeah we didn't lose to you in the nineties

[Slick]

Absolutely, he can’t scrummage and Furlong is done

Jeez, that's a bit of a hot take Slick! IMO Furlong is a top 5 tighthead of all time, let alone right now. I expect him to utterly ruin some opposing scrums at the WC, regardless of whether he is on his absolute top form or not.

He was not fit (did not do the captain run and warmed up separately).

Yeah, my one line hot take didn't go into much detail. He has been an awesome player (agree, one of the best for a while), but not sure he has reached those levels for a while and I understand that he is struggling with a lot of injuries

[Yr Alban]

Try feeling like that for 20 years and get back to us

Aye, welcome to our world. And the world of your fathers and grandfathers.

I am not that young lads. My first international was 1982 when we won a triple crown but weirdly I remember the 1985 one much more vividly. When I was a kid Scotland were Ireland and would beat us year in year out. Did you not beat us something like ten years in a row in the late 80s/90's. That's the rugby I remember. I am acutely aware it can all go to shit quickly. I'm fact I thought after 2018 we might have a right few fallow years but this year was a nice surprise

We didn’t lose to Ireland from 1989 to 1999, though there was a draw in 1994.

Don’t get me wrong by the way. I don’t bear Leinster particular ill will. It’s just that Leinster are the poster boys for pro rugby. Never lose in the league, infinite depth, conveyor belt, produce an endless series of players used to winning. I find the fact that even an outfit like them can choke when it comes down to it gratifying, that’s all.

[Slick]

I would disagree with that take. Even in French circles ROG is known as a Chequebook Charlie he has that much money to spend. The fact with a straight face he has ponted to Leinsters budget when he knows how Irish rugby works speaks to both his brazeness and genius at the siege stuff. LAR are not a small team both literally and figuratively. The only way Leinster could compete would be to blow our way of doing rugby out the door amd get a load of huge lads in like LAR. We don't do that for obvious reasons. We have been blessed with some of our signings like Hines and Thorn but fact is is LAR want to go out and buy x number of players in x number of positions next year they can. We can't no more than a Scottish team could. You have been sold a pup by the English media on Irish rugby

For your average Irish rugby supporter is their club or their national team doing well more important to them? I personally would much rather the national team does well rather than either of our clubs and don't care how we get there. I'd imagine, particularly with just 2 teams, it's a majority view here.

[I like neeps]

I would disagree with that take. Even in French circles ROG is known as a Chequebook Charlie he has that much money to spend. The fact with a straight face he has ponted to Leinsters budget when he knows how Irish rugby works speaks to both his brazeness and genius at the siege stuff. LAR are not a small team both literally and figuratively. The only way Leinster could compete would be to blow our way of doing rugby out the door amd get a load of huge lads in like LAR. We don't do that for obvious reasons. We have been blessed with some of our signings like Hines and Thorn but fact is is LAR want to go out and buy x number of players in x number of positions next year they can. We can't no more than a Scottish team could. You have been sold a pup by the English media on Irish rugby

Kind of comparing apples with oranges. Leinster and the provinces get their players from the academies and the IRFUs development pathway who do a great job of coaching them up. As do the Dublin private schools who essentially function as club academies (not a dig that's how rugby in the Anglosphere work private schools offer year on year better rugby programmes to entice parents). And then have the budget and set up (no Ireland caps if you leave to retain).

La Rochelle don't have that direct FRU development work done for them but yes can establish a team of world class talent around them. The Leinster model is more sustainable as it relies less of the work done by the club. Ireland probably have the best pathways in the world - which is great for you. And probably why we don't give much truck for Irish rugby.

[Jim Lahey]

I would disagree with that take. Even in French circles ROG is known as a Chequebook Charlie he has that much money to spend. The fact with a straight face he has ponted to Leinsters budget when he knows how Irish rugby works speaks to both his brazeness and genius at the siege stuff. LAR are not a small team both literally and figuratively. The only way Leinster could compete would be to blow our way of doing rugby out the door amd get a load of huge lads in like LAR. We don't do that for obvious reasons. We have been blessed with some of our signings like Hines and Thorn but fact is is LAR want to go out and buy x number of players in x number of positions next year they can. We can't no more than a Scottish team could. You have been sold a pup by the English media on Irish rugby

For your average Irish rugby supporter is their club or their national team doing well more important to them? I personally would much rather the national team does well rather than either of our clubs and don't care how we get there. I'd imagine, particularly with just 2 teams, it's a majority view here.

As a long suffering Ulster supporter, I'm resigned to the fact we have a long and illustrious history of shitting the bed when it matters, akin to Leinster more recently, so I'm firmly in the "Country Comes First" camp.

Even if Ulster weren't a pack of paper maché bluffers, I would still hold the above view. Many Ulster fans fell out with the IRFU over the Paddy Jackson saga, as well as still being annoyed over ROG getting picked over DHumph back in the early 00s, but they are the type that probably vote DUP so aren't worth paying too much attention to.

[Tichtheid]

I would disagree with that take. Even in French circles ROG is known as a Chequebook Charlie he has that much money to spend. The fact with a straight face he has ponted to Leinsters budget when he knows how Irish rugby works speaks to both his brazeness and genius at the siege stuff. LAR are not a small team both literally and figuratively. The only way Leinster could compete would be to blow our way of doing rugby out the door amd get a load of huge lads in like LAR. We don't do that for obvious reasons. We have been blessed with some of our signings like Hines and Thorn but fact is is LAR want to go out and buy x number of players in x number of positions next year they can. We can't no more than a Scottish team could. You have been sold a pup by the English media on Irish rugby

For your average Irish rugby supporter is their club or their national team doing well more important to them? I personally would much rather the national team does well rather than either of our clubs and don't care how we get there. I'd imagine, particularly with just 2 teams, it's a majority view here.

I've noticed a shift in Scotland, particularly on the Glasgow bored, there isn't enough traffic on the Edinburgh one to make a call either way. I get the feeling from some Glasgow fans that Glasgow is the team they support and the national side is second to that.

I don't know if this view comes from younger fans, but I would imagine it does. Although of course Edinburgh v Glasgow is the oldest inter-district rugby match in the world, the districts themselves weren't a big deal in the 80s and 90s when I started playing club rugby - it meant a lot to the players of course because it was a stepping stone to the national team, but it wasn't a team you'd support because they only played a handful of matches per season - the old inter-district tournament which took place around Christmas time and the odd game against touring teams from New Zealand or Australia would pique a bit of interest for novelty value, but no kids would have Edinburgh or Glasgow posters on their bedroom wall.

Some of the shift may well be down to the lack of success for the national side and the league win and finals reached by Glasgow - I don't think that can be underestimated, that and the style of rugby Glasgow has become known for since the Lineen days.

[clydecloggie]

I would disagree with that take. Even in French circles ROG is known as a Chequebook Charlie he has that much money to spend. The fact with a straight face he has ponted to Leinsters budget when he knows how Irish rugby works speaks to both his brazeness and genius at the siege stuff. LAR are not a small team both literally and figuratively. The only way Leinster could compete would be to blow our way of doing rugby out the door amd get a load of huge lads in like LAR. We don't do that for obvious reasons. We have been blessed with some of our signings like Hines and Thorn but fact is is LAR want to go out and buy x number of players in x number of positions next year they can. We can't no more than a Scottish team could. You have been sold a pup by the English media on Irish rugby

For your average Irish rugby supporter is their club or their national team doing well more important to them? I personally would much rather the national team does well rather than either of our clubs and don't care how we get there. I'd imagine, particularly with just 2 teams, it's a majority view here.

I've noticed a shift in Scotland, particularly on the Glasgow bored, there isn't enough traffic on the Edinburgh one to make a call either way. I get the feeling from some Glasgow fans that Glasgow is the team they support and the national side is second to that.

I don't know if this view comes from younger fans, but I would imagine it does. Although of course Edinburgh v Glasgow is the oldest inter-district rugby match in the world, the districts themselves weren't a big deal in the 80s and 90s when I started playing club rugby - it meant a lot to the players of course because it was a stepping stone to the national team, but it wasn't a team you'd support because they only played a handful of matches per season - the old inter-district tournament which took place around Christmas time and the odd game against touring teams from New Zealand or Australia would pique a bit of interest for novelty value, but no kids would have Edinburgh or Glasgow posters on their bedroom wall.

Some of the shift may well be down to the lack of success for the national side and the league win and finals reached by Glasgow - I don't think that can be underestimated, that and the style of rugby Glasgow has become known for since the Lineen days.

For me Glasgow and Scotland are about equal, helped by the fact that they're not really in each other's way. Scotland first at 6N and RWC time, Glasgow first for the rest of the season.

I like it when Scotland drop good Glasgow players though and they can play for the club again, so perhaps it's 51/49 to Glasgow after all.

[Yr Alban]

I’m a soft Embra fan, as a native of the city and recently the owner of a flat in Dalry (not that I’ve been to any games as yet). But I’ll always be a Scotland fan first and foremost. I’m happy to see Glasgow do well too, as it’s likely to benefit the national side.

[Biffer]

Sam Johnson selected for the BaaBaas

[vball]

I’m a soft Embra fan, as a native of the city and recently the owner of a flat in Dalry (not that I’ve been to any games as yet). But I’ll always be a Scotland fan first and foremost. I’m happy to see Glasgow do well too, as it’s likely to benefit the national side.

Happy to support town, region and international teams .... possibly in that order since I come from the Borders....

[KingBlairhorn]

Interesting idea this, the URC are considering a draft system.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/65694650

Not sure how it would work in practice as the chance that all the other unions would end up supporting Irish player development (i.e. Ireland produce overwhelmingly the most and highest quality youth therefore they would be most in demand and get the most minutes) seems high. On the face of it though, with the tartan specs on, any chance to reduce our own player development bottleneck would be brilliant. I'm not sure this couldn't be better achieved with a loan system though. The value of this idea would all depend on the implementation.

[Biffer]

To be fair, the article doesn't really say they're looking at a draft system, more that they're wanting something that can have the same effect in terms of particularly young Scottish and Irish players getting opportunities.

[KingBlairhorn]

There was a story circulating last night I think from the Telegraph about Tom Roebuck being heavily courted by the SRU again. Adding together 2 and 2 and getting 10, Glasgow are a bit short on wings with only Cancelliere, Facundo Cordero and Steyn recognised wingers on the books for next season. Assuming Dobie hasn't been switched permanently to wing (I hope not) and McKay and Smith will battle it out at 15, I would say they are certainly one short.

[Tichtheid]

There was a story circulating last night I think from the Telegraph about Tom Roebuck being heavily courted by the SRU again. Adding together 2 and 2 and getting 10, Glasgow are a bit short on wings with only Cancelliere, Facundo Cordero and Steyn recognised wingers on the books for next season. Assuming Dobie hasn't been switched permanently to wing (I hope not) and McKay and Smith will battle it out at 15, I would say they are certainly one short.

Kyle Rowe could become available depending whether or not Ldn Irish weather the current storm.

[Slick]

There was a story circulating last night I think from the Telegraph about Tom Roebuck being heavily courted by the SRU again. Adding together 2 and 2 and getting 10, Glasgow are a bit short on wings with only Cancelliere, Facundo Cordero and Steyn recognised wingers on the books for next season. Assuming Dobie hasn't been switched permanently to wing (I hope not) and McKay and Smith will battle it out at 15, I would say they are certainly one short.

I know he was born here but do we know anything about his parents?

[KingBlairhorn]

There was a story circulating last night I think from the Telegraph about Tom Roebuck being heavily courted by the SRU again. Adding together 2 and 2 and getting 10, Glasgow are a bit short on wings with only Cancelliere, Facundo Cordero and Steyn recognised wingers on the books for next season. Assuming Dobie hasn't been switched permanently to wing (I hope not) and McKay and Smith will battle it out at 15, I would say they are certainly one short.

Kyle Rowe could become available depending whether or not Ldn Irish weather the current storm.

The prem is obviously a very weak league so we have to be careful offering contracts to players who are substandard for URC level Genuinely though, he got nowhere near the Edinburgh team when there so I can't see him being much better than a squad filler for Glasgow.

Ben White I am worried about - without sounding like capitalising on Irish's misfortune, he would be ideal for Edinburgh. He is indisputably first choice for Scotland at the moment IMO so it would be damaging for us if he either struggles to get a contract elsewhere or ends up at a club where he isn't first choice.

[KingBlairhorn]

There was a story circulating last night I think from the Telegraph about Tom Roebuck being heavily courted by the SRU again. Adding together 2 and 2 and getting 10, Glasgow are a bit short on wings with only Cancelliere, Facundo Cordero and Steyn recognised wingers on the books for next season. Assuming Dobie hasn't been switched permanently to wing (I hope not) and McKay and Smith will battle it out at 15, I would say they are certainly one short.

I know he was born here but do we know anything about his parents?

Both English I believe. He qualifies on location of birth. It's a funny one because according to all the eligibility police who kick about he is more eligible for Scotland than someone like Redpath or Ryan Wilson who has indisputable Scottish ancestry but grew up in England.

[Tichtheid]

There was a story circulating last night I think from the Telegraph about Tom Roebuck being heavily courted by the SRU again. Adding together 2 and 2 and getting 10, Glasgow are a bit short on wings with only Cancelliere, Facundo Cordero and Steyn recognised wingers on the books for next season. Assuming Dobie hasn't been switched permanently to wing (I hope not) and McKay and Smith will battle it out at 15, I would say they are certainly one short.

Kyle Rowe could become available depending whether or not Ldn Irish weather the current storm.

The prem is obviously a very weak league so we have to be careful offering contracts to players who are substandard for URC level Genuinely though, he got nowhere near the Edinburgh team when there so I can't see him being much better than a squad filler for Glasgow.

Ben White I am worried about - without sounding like capitalising on Irish's misfortune, he would be ideal for Edinburgh. He is indisputably first choice for Scotland at the moment IMO so it would be damaging for us if he either struggles to get a contract elsewhere or ends up at a club where he isn't first choice.

I really rate Rowe (how's that for alliteration?) based on his performances at 'Irish, he deserved his call up to the Scotland squad. I don't put too much on the fact he didn't get a crack at Edinburgh under Cockerill, he had vdMerwe, Graham, Kinghorn, Hoyland, Sau (a big favourite of mine) and Farndale (who was playing well) in front of him and besides, Rory Darge didn't get a break at Edinburgh at that time either.

If he gets fit I could really see him making an impact at Glasgow, or wherever he ends up.

I agree on White and would love to see him in an Edinburgh shirt, as tough as it would be on the likes of Steele and Sheil, but thems the pro rugby breaks.

[KingBlairhorn]

Looks like Irish might actually be in real trouble so those scenarios might actually be in play.

[dpedin]

Looks like Irish might actually be in real trouble so those scenarios might actually be in play.

To be fair to the SRU it must be difficult at the moment trying to finalise squads for next season whilst also waiting to see if they need to rescue Scottish players from the shitfest that is happening in England. It defo looks like LI are done for now and a few players will be picked up but quite a few won't be as clubs down south will have reached their salary cap ceiling. On both an international level and individual player level we need to help out the Scots dragged into the shit.

[Tichtheid]

Looks like Irish might actually be in real trouble so those scenarios might actually be in play.

To be fair to the SRU it must be difficult at the moment trying to finalise squads for next season whilst also waiting to see if they need to rescue Scottish players from the shitfest that is happening in England. It defo looks like LI are done for now and a few players will be picked up but quite a few won't be as clubs down south will have reached their salary cap ceiling. On both an international level and individual player level we need to help out the Scots dragged into the shit.

If what is being said on the England rugby thread is true, that Saracens', ahem, accounting is the cause of these teams going under because they tried to compete financially, then the ripples are being felt wider than in the Eng Premiership. Edinburgh having to offer contracts to van der Merwe, Ashman, Hislop and Tom Dodd has meant others players have been let go, including academy players who haven't had a chance yet.

Now it looks like Ben White and Kyle Rowe will be looking for jobs, there's also Longan Trotter and hooker Isaac Miller

[robmatic]

Looks like Irish might actually be in real trouble so those scenarios might actually be in play.

To be fair to the SRU it must be difficult at the moment trying to finalise squads for next season whilst also waiting to see if they need to rescue Scottish players from the shitfest that is happening in England. It defo looks like LI are done for now and a few players will be picked up but quite a few won't be as clubs down south will have reached their salary cap ceiling. On both an international level and individual player level we need to help out the Scots dragged into the shit.

If what is being said on the England rugby thread is true, that Saracens', ahem, accounting is the cause of these teams going under because they tried to compete financially, then the ripples are being felt wider than in the Eng Premiership. Edinburgh having to offer contracts to van der Merwe, Ashman, Hislop and Tom Dodd has meant others players have been let go, including academy players who haven't had a chance yet.

Now it looks like Ben White and Kyle Rowe will be looking for jobs, there's also Longan Trotter and hooker Isaac Miller

Yeah, this will definitely have a second order effect on Scottish player development. The pool of available professional rugby opportunities in the UK just shrank by 100+ positions in the space of a year.

[dkm57]

Don't think we can afford to add a third pro team but I think we should look at expanding the super 6 to 8 or 10. To include Embra and Glasgow 'A' and a team in the NE Caledonia (Inverness/Aberdeen/Dundee/Perth) and one in the SW Galloway Reivers or Pirates (Wigtownshire/Stewartry/Dumfries/Annan/Langholm).

[Slick]

Don't think we can afford to add a third pro team but I think we should look at expanding the super 6 to 8 or 10. To include Embra and Glasgow 'A' and a team in the NE Caledonia (Inverness/Aberdeen/Dundee/Perth) and one in the SW Galloway Reivers or Pirates (Wigtownshire/Stewartry/Dumfries/Annan/Langholm).

I'd like to know how much a S6 team is to run, is having 8-10 semi pro teams going to be much less or more than a fully pro 3rd team? Dunno.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Welsh leave the URC for an anglo-Welsh league which might also open up more cash for a 3rd team from TV etc. Obviously taking into account the devastating loss of Welsh TV money...

[Biffer]

I'm unsure how much a development pro team would cost. The number that used to be bandied about was £7million a year, but I'm not sure how much of that would be absorbed by the SRU single ticketing system etc. Given the number of teams going bust wage demands would surely be lower than previously?

[Slick]

I'm unsure how much a development pro team would cost. The number that used to be bandied about was £7million a year, but I'm not sure how much of that would be absorbed by the SRU single ticketing system etc. Given the number of teams going bust wage demands would surely be lower than previously?

You would think so, and presumably a lot of English and Welsh players finding Scottish grannies and open to a move North.

It's difficult to judge, but there does seem to be a definite buzz about the URC and SA now seem to be fully on board, so you would think there are more broadcasting and sponsor opportunities coming through that will make it's way to the clubs/unions.

[robmatic]

I'm not really enthused about the prospect of a 3rd pro team right now. For one thing, I don't think the league will be wanting a Scottish Zebre when the Italian version is already causing an issue. I also think that it's second tier pro rugby that many young players are needing in order to prepare them for the next step up and it's here that Scottish rugby is failing. If you look at the development pathways in other countries, players don't have to turn up fully fledged in the first team squads of their top teams. England has the Premiership Cup and the Championship, SA has Currie Cup and Varsity rugby, NZ has NPC etc. The Super 6 has been a big step in the right direction but the pro teams (I'm mainly thinking about Edinburgh) have been too reluctant to release the fringe and academy players and give them meaningful game time, and they wouldn't even play their A teams for the full Super Series Sprint.

[Jock42]

Don't think we can afford to add a third pro team but I think we should look at expanding the super 6 to 8 or 10. To include Embra and Glasgow 'A' and a team in the NE Caledonia (Inverness/Aberdeen/Dundee/Perth) and one in the SW Galloway Reivers or Pirates (Wigtownshire/Stewartry/Dumfries/Annan/Langholm).

I'd like to know how much a S6 team is to run, is having 8-10 semi pro teams going to be much less or more than a fully pro 3rd team? Dunno.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Welsh leave the URC for an anglo-Welsh league which might also open up more cash for a 3rd team from TV etc. Obviously taking into account the devastating loss of Welsh TV money...

I think the SRU were only putting in £45k per team when it started. I imagine that figure has been adjusted but not by much.

Didn't they state at the beginning of the season they were looking at an 8 team format in the next couple of seasons?

[Big D]

Problem is there is a still a big difference between the employment status of the players playing in the S6/8 and those who may play for a 3rd pro team, say fringe prem players/English championship.

I was always against a 3rd pro team, mainly because I didn't think the SRU could afford to. Now we are potentially 3 to 4 seasons away from the point where I am not sure if they can afford not to in some shape or form.

It might take some out of the box thinking, say a London based exiles team with the SRU/WRU entering a JV with a Welsh side folding into it but if the English league continues to contract and make it harder for non EQ players then something will need to happen.

[Slick]

Don't think we can afford to add a third pro team but I think we should look at expanding the super 6 to 8 or 10. To include Embra and Glasgow 'A' and a team in the NE Caledonia (Inverness/Aberdeen/Dundee/Perth) and one in the SW Galloway Reivers or Pirates (Wigtownshire/Stewartry/Dumfries/Annan/Langholm).

I'd like to know how much a S6 team is to run, is having 8-10 semi pro teams going to be much less or more than a fully pro 3rd team? Dunno.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Welsh leave the URC for an anglo-Welsh league which might also open up more cash for a 3rd team from TV etc. Obviously taking into account the devastating loss of Welsh TV money...

I think the SRU were only putting in £45k per team when it started. I imagine that figure has been adjusted but not by much.

Didn't they state at the beginning of the season they were looking at an 8 team format in the next couple of seasons?

Is that all? Oh right, that’s my spreadsheet fucked

[Tichtheid]

Clark Laidlaw, son of Roy, currently head coach of New Zealand 7s is to take over as head coach of the Hurricanes next year

[Simian]

Clark Laidlaw, son of Roy, currently head coach of New Zealand 7s is to take over as head coach of the Hurricanes next year

That’s a fantastic move for him.

[Biffer]

Clark Laidlaw, son of Roy, currently head coach of New Zealand 7s is to take over as head coach of the Hurricanes next year

That's a change, I thought he was going to start coaching the All Blacks u20s team. Great move for him. I was told by a friend of a friend that he was approached in relation to the Munster job last year.

[I like neeps]

Problem is there is a still a big difference between the employment status of the players playing in the S6/8 and those who may play for a 3rd pro team, say fringe prem players/English championship.

I was always against a 3rd pro team, mainly because I didn't think the SRU could afford to. Now we are potentially 3 to 4 seasons away from the point where I am not sure if they can afford not to in some shape or form.

It might take some out of the box thinking, say a London based exiles team with the SRU/WRU entering a JV with a Welsh side folding into it but if the English league continues to contract and make it harder for non EQ players then something will need to happen.

A JV with a Welsh side would be a flustercuck especially in the English leagues. I live in the south east and am enough of a Scottish rugby fan to be posting here but I'm not going to a Welsh/Scots composite sides matches. And that's problem 1, money put in by the unions, lack of money from fan revenue, development strategy, team selections etc would be a nightmare that is destined to fail.

A third pro team would massively weaken Edinburgh and Glasgow in the short term, in the medium term it might slightly improve the national team maybe but it's not a guaranteed third pro team = success.

There's so many players available for Scotland the obvious strategy now is reduce significantly the NSQs at the existing pro teams. I'd have an Irish rule implemented for the 24/25 season.

[Biffer]

Problem is there is a still a big difference between the employment status of the players playing in the S6/8 and those who may play for a 3rd pro team, say fringe prem players/English championship.

I was always against a 3rd pro team, mainly because I didn't think the SRU could afford to. Now we are potentially 3 to 4 seasons away from the point where I am not sure if they can afford not to in some shape or form.

It might take some out of the box thinking, say a London based exiles team with the SRU/WRU entering a JV with a Welsh side folding into it but if the English league continues to contract and make it harder for non EQ players then something will need to happen.

A JV with a Welsh side would be a flustercuck especially in the English leagues. I live in the south east and am enough of a Scottish rugby fan to be posting here but I'm not going to a Welsh/Scots composite sides matches. And that's problem 1, money put in by the unions, lack of money from fan revenue, development strategy, team selections etc would be a nightmare that is destined to fail.

A third pro team would massively weaken Edinburgh and Glasgow in the short term, in the medium term it might slightly improve the national team maybe but it's not a guaranteed third pro team = success.

There's so many players available for Scotland the obvious strategy now is reduce significantly the NSQs at the existing pro teams. I'd have an Irish rule implemented for the 24/25 season.

Edinburgh had eight NSQ players in the squad last year I think, some of those have been released / moved and they've have only signed Scottish eligible players for next season so far (including a 10, two props and a hooker, positions of need for Scotland).

Might be happening on the quiet anyway. Which would be a better way to do it - no announcement of policy, just do it but don't restrict the clubs if there's a sudden particular need.