Fast-track plan for SRU rookies
THE SRU yesterday announced that 30 players from the national academy system will be fed into the ranks of Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh as of next season.
The players, who include young star fly-half Nathan Chamberlain at Edinburgh, will train and be available for selection for the two pro teams as well as turning out for their aligned Super6 franchise.
Although it is a move born largely of necessity due to the financial implications of the Covid pandemic, it is hoped that bolstering the squads of both clubs will also accelerate the players’ developments.
SRU performance director Jim Mallinder is adamant that the new-look budget restraints can be used as a silver lining when it comes to developing the nation’s top young talents.
With a string of players now set to be blooded much earlier than planned, Mallinder said: ‘This is a logical step to take to further the development of our most talented young players. This will also allow our next generation of players to be mentored by our top professional players.
‘As we hopefully move into a post-Covid-19 season, the reality is we will need to be more selfsufficient in developing our own players locally and ensure they can step up at the right time into the professional ranks.
‘We would all want to produce more (homegrown players, as opposed to Scottish-qualified) and that’s what we’re looking to do. That is why we’re moving the academies into the pro teams.
‘If I was a young scrum-half or young hooker, to be mentored by a single player with lots of caps would be absolutely brilliant.
‘If we’ve got lots of internationals away playing, then there will be opportunities for these younger Scottish guys.’
Players from Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh were at BT Murrayfield yesterday as they embark on a second week of ‘voluntary training’ sessions.
Mallinder confirmed this is likely to be a four-week period, at which point the players will then come off furlough and resume full contact training. With a proposed return date of August 22 for the Pro14 clash between Glasgow and Edinburgh, he said: ‘Fortunately, we’ve been in discussions with government officials and they’re very happy that this first four weeks is voluntary.
‘The following month they will be coming off furlough and that will be more directive training, and also our coaches will be coming off furlough as they will be starting coaching the players.
‘At the moment, it’s strength and conditioning, running and gym work to set them up and the second month the players will be off furlough, in a way back to work, and it’s more directive as opposed to voluntary.’