HARD HITTING VIEW

The SRU is reliant on the team in its shop window doing well

Scottish Rugby’s CEO and chairman were in bullish mood at the SRU’S Annual General Meeting as they reported on the performance of the previous year.

Turnover had grown by £3.9 million to £61.1m, and debt was down.

It is a far cry from the precarious financial position the organisation was in 10-15 years ago, which is a relief to many supporters of the game.

Around the corner is the pot of gold at the end of the CVC rainbow – the private equity firm trying to buy into both the Pro14 and Six Nations tournaments.

Those deals – yet to be finalised – could fundamentally change the financial landscape of rugby.

Mark Dodson waxed lyrical about the ability to invest in the domestic game, which now clearly extends into France and the USA, as well as the CEO’S Agenda 3 reforms and Super 6 competition, which will now be broadcast on the BBC’S website.

The SRU is reliant on the teams in its shop window doing well.

It has been mixed. Scotland retained the Calcutta Cup for the first time in 35 years, but failed to impose themselves on other teams in the Six Nations.

While Glasgow reached the final of the Pro14 at Celtic Park, they fell at the final hurdle. They were also well beaten in the European Cup.

Edinburgh had a similarly inconsistent season, winning at times yet failing in key matches.

So, perhaps the bullishness of the CEO and chairman was justified in some areas, but exaggerated in others.

Ticket prices for games are unlikely to reduce, especially if Murrayfield is sold out, despite some fans hoping that might be the case.

And I’m sure the SRU will be hoping for a boost in sales of the newly re-designed replica shirts with the World Cup just around the corner.

The financial outlook does look good, especially if the CVC deal comes off. Yet it is off the field that the SRU remains under most scrutiny.

While Sir Bill Gammell’s review is under way and the outcomes eagerly awaited, further controversy emerged over the appointment of Dr John Halliday, who has become a co-opted member of the governing body’s council, and given a paid role as their representative on Rugby Europe.

Halliday is rector of Dundee High School, which has been embroiled in an employment tribunal over accusations of “bullying, intimidation and harassment”.

So it is a mixed picture emerging, with governance still under scrutiny, something the players will be less concerned about as they started their series of warm-up matches in Nice.

That is where the real business takes place.