Lineen is backing his quick learners to thrive

LONDON Scottish rugby director Sean Lineen acknowledges his youthful side must “learn quickly” if they are to be competitive in this season’s Championship.

A summer of intense change at the Athletic Ground has resulted in the Exiles’ playing budget being halved and 22 players recruited, with seven of those from North of the border following confirmation of a performance partnership with the Scottish RU.

Last week’s 36-9 home thrashing by London Welsh set alarm bells ringing, but former Scotland centre Lineen is confident his charges will eventually thrive.

He told The Rugby Paper: “This season has brought challenges with 22 new players, some of whom are very young and inexperienced, but in many ways that’s fantastic because it’s a development stage.

“Guys have to learn quickly because the Championship is an unforgiving environment, but there’s no issue with the effort and the boys are training well, so it’s actually a great environment for us.

“There were 12 guys in our squad against London Welsh last weekend under 21, which is great, and while we don’t want to be where we are in the table and know the pressure is on, we will grow as a team pretty quickly.”

Lineen added: “We’ve basically halved our budget and are working within our means, but that means you’ve got to improve your coaching and make players better.

“Peter Richards is a very good coach, John Dalziel has come from Scotland – another good coach – and to be based at a world-class training facility like The Lensbury is fantastic, so I’m positive about things.”

As debate rages over the future of the Championship, Lineen wants to see more emphasis on attack. He said: “If you look at the third level in New Zealand, the Mitre Cup, they promote running rugby.

“What the Championship develops is set-piece – scrum, lineout and drive – so I’d like to see it develop back play more.”