DAVID SOLE So/(

Clubs across Scotland will have had a large envelope land on their doorsteps this weekend, as the consultation document to canvass their views on Mark Dodson’s Agenda 3 was distributed. This is being sent out as the result of a motion proposed at the AGM. It seems bizarre it is only now, well over a year after the SRU CEO announced his plans, that the consultation with clubs is taking place. As far as processes go, this seems to be completely the wrong way around. In a normal course of events a thorough consultation would take place first, thereby taking into account the views of key stakeholders affected by any decisions. These could then be incorporated (or not) into new plans. It would also enable the people driving the process to engage with these stakeholders along the way, so that if their views are contrarian there is an opportunity to influence – or, indeed, change – perspectives. That was not Mark Dodson’s way. So now the clubs are going to be asked a series of questions and given the opportunity to provide general comments about the issues in hand. These questions cover matters such as league structures, national and regional leagues and recurring questions about the Super Six – and This seems to be completely the wrong way around in particular, where the club XVs of Super Six franchises should play. The clubs have until the end of October to submit their views, and then it will be left to Gavin MacColl QC, chairman of the Scottish Rugby Council’s committee on governance, to make sense of the responses. The consultation is likely to open a Pandora’s box as there are so many diverse views on what is right for the club game in Scotland. I would be very surprised if the chairman is not inundated with responses, such is the strength of feeling across the land. The really interesting questions will emerge once the conclusions have been reached and any outcomes published. If there is a groundswell against Agenda 3, will Dodson and the SRU be able to bulldoze the plans through? To what extent will the CEO listen to the concern of the clubs – arguably the most important body in Scottish rugby – and adapt his plans to satisfy the majority views? And when will we hear what the consensus views are? The final outlook and structure for next season is still far from being confirmed, and one would hope Dodson is willing to listen and adapt, should the outcomes from the consultation prove that his plans aren’t as popular as he had hoped. We shall see.