Japan woe damaged Scotland’s standing

IT’S HARD not to feel sympathy for SRU chief executive Mark Dodson, who got himself into hot water over comments made with the best intentions during the World Cup. Dodson was worried that World Rugby would refuse to put back Scotland’s final Pool A decider against Japan by 24 hours if Typhoon Hagibis caused its postponement. He fought Scotland’s corner well. He even employed a QC, who suggested that legal action could be taken to ensure the game would have to go ahead on the Monday. Perhaps his choice of language was ill-advised — he said Scotland didn’t want to be ‘collateral damage’ of a World Rugby decision at a time when people were dying and buildings being destroyed by a typhoon — but hindsight is a wonderful thing. Dodson was subsequently charged by World Rugby for bringing the game into disrepute. It of course transpired that we didn’t have to worry about the game being postponed as it went ahead as scheduled. Scotland lost to the host nation in a marvellous encounter. The SRU are bracing themselves for a six-figure fine which is a ridiculously high sum when you consider the Bulgarian FA were fined just £65,000 for their fans’ racist abuse of England players in the Euro 2020 qualifier in Sofia. Still, one can’t help but feel that while all are reflecting on what a wonderful World Cup Japan hosted, the abiding memory of Scotland is one that leaves our reputation damaged both on and off the park.