London Scottish deal can bring big benefits
It might seem odd that an English club could hold the key to Scotland’s future success on the world stage, but yesterday’s announcement from the SRU — that they have formed an official partnership with Green King IPA Championship club London Scottish in order to develop coaches, players and support staff — is a significant step towards a positive dark blue future.
the deal will see former Glasgow head coach and Scotland Grand Slam hero Sean Lineen work part-time as director of rugby for the club, while still keeping his job as Scottish Rugby’s head of international age-grade rugby.
He will be joined by former Edinburgh flanker Roddy Grant to support head coach and former England international scrum-half Peter Richards at the Exiles.
As the mutually beneficial partnership between the English club and Scottish governing body gets underway, Sportsmail looks at what could come of the deal.
A PHOENIX FROM THE
AMATEUR ASHES
London Scottish, founded on April 10, 1878, have produced more Scotland internationals than any other team. In 138 years, the club has had 221 players selected for the national side.
Once a breeding ground for the likes of Gavin Hastings, Damian Cronin and Derek White, the team of 26 years ago formed a decent chunk of the 1990 Five Nations Grand Slam-winning side.
Following the advent of professionalism, however, in 1996 the Richmond-upon-thames based club fell on hard times. By 1999, they were in administration and nine divisions down the English leagues.
Now up to the second tier, it is time for a revival. Scottish Rugby has a real chance to catapult the famous old club into greater significance, while producing swathes of talent for themselves at the same time, all under the noses of the RFU.
‘I would love to see them doing well,’ said former second-row Cronin of the deal. ‘I hope they achieve the goals they are after.
‘It’s a good idea. I think they should have done this long ago. It can only be good if they are trying to push through another arm of the SRU, to have players playing at a higher level.
‘London Scottish should be striving for the Premiership. to get week in, week out, really tough rugby and if you can get a large percentage of Scottish players in that league, it will be very beneficial.’
GETTING PRIORITIES
RIGHT
London Scottish have a fight on their hands. Lineen will be tasked with keeping the club in the Championship — they currently sit 10th out of 12 — surely something he will be asked to prioritise over his academy role.
the development of talent and long-term plan needs the Exiles to stay in the Championship, if not aim higher.
they should not go down this year, with Moseley and Ealing trailfinders more likely candidates, but it would be a real blow to the masterplan if they did sink to National One.
CLOSING THE GAP WITH
TALENT, NOT MONEY
As Sportsmail highlighted last week, the financial gulf between Scotland and the French and English is large — and widening.
Perhaps the thinking from the SRU is to close the gap with talent not money. the Pro12 will never attract the big bucks that are thrown at the top 14 or Aviva Premiership, but they can attempt to even the playing field with a host of talented youngsters, with serious game-time under their belts in a proper league rather than leaving them in an academy.
A THIRD PRO TEAM?
If all goes well, London Scottish could well become the third professional Scottish team.
Scottish Rugby has certainly thought about revitalising the Borders or starting an Aberdeen franchise but, oddly, West London could be the best option.
It is an historic club, with a proper ground and fanbase, that is set up already and does not need mountains of cash to start up.
INTRODUCTION TO
THE PRO12?
It may be a few years down the line, but this move could be the first step towards kicking the Italian teams out of the Pro12.
If London Scottish become the third team it is almost certain the RFU will not want them under their banner. A move to the Pro12 (with London Irish?) could be the answer.
It may make the league more competitive and mean no team has the eight-point Italian banker, but could provide a conflict of interest.
Just imagine: it’s the last day of the season. the fixture computer has thrown up Leinster v London Irish and Glasgow v London Scottish. the results depend on who qualifies for Europe. Both clubs are controlled by the governing bodies.