CAPITAL MEN MUST BANISH DEMONS AND SEIZE CHANCE
What effect do you think the current crisis will have on the Pro14 season? Do you have any concerns?
It is definitely going to have an effect, with the main one being no fans for the UK-based games for the first few months of the season. I guess most people are getting used to this by now but the players have found it really tough. The biggest issue for the Pro14 is that it is played in four countries, five when you include South Africa, and they all have different regulations in place to fight Covid. If, for example, there was a big spike in cases in Italy and it went back into lockdown, the games involving the two Italian sides would need to stop and this would complete disrupt the league.
I do think it is going to be a season like no other.
There is talk four clubs could be included from South Africa from the New Year. Is that a good move?
This is an interesting development. I don’t think the inclusion of the Cheetahs and the Southern Kings has worked but I do like the idea of the better South African teams being involved. Rugby has and will take a huge hit due to Covid, so the league needs the financial boost that a country like South Africa can give.
Does the Pro14 league have a credibility problem this year as it starts with 12 teams and it is still isn’t sure how many clubs will be included in the New Year?
I think most people will give them some leeway due to the pandemic and all the disruption it has caused but they have to get it right this season. The introduction of more South African sides needs to be marketed much better than before and the structure has to be spot-on to gain credibility from next season.
Richard Cockerill has suggested a salary cap — would that work?
This is interesting because I don’t think it has ever happened when the national bodies pay the salaries. It is essential in England and France to bring relative parity when owners can overspend their own money if they see fit but I know people in England think
they are at a disadvantage to the likes of Leinster, who receive all their income from the IRFU and don’t need to publish what their salary budget is.
On a positive note, what are you looking forward to this season?
Seeing if Edinburgh can take the next step in their development and get to the final and, maybe, winning it. I do think they have the talent but, mentally, they were not up to it in the season just finished, losing a home semi-final when they had the game won. All champion teams have to go through this development, Glasgow did it before winning the Pro12 in 2015, so this is a huge season for Edinburgh.
Who will be top of the Scots — Edinburgh or Glasgow Warriors? And can either of them win it? Edinburgh will be the top team in Scotland because they have a much better squad than Glasgow and they have a settled coaching team in place. Glasgow have the individual talent in Adam Hastings, Ali Price and Sam Johnson but lack some strength in depth when these players are away with Scotland. I do like the look of their coaching team under Danny Wilson, especially the introduction of Jonny Bell and Kelly Brown, but it might take some time to gel. Edinburgh could win it, but Glasgow are in the rebuilding phase, so not this season for them.
What will be key in the battle between Danny Wilson and Richard Cockerill? The pressure is all on Cockerill as he has been there for many years now, he has the stronger squad and is expected to get to the play-offs and maybe win the whole thing. Wilson can build his team in his vision and have a solid first season in charge — which would mean making the play-offs. Then, in a knockout game, Glasgow have the talent to upset anyone!
Who will Gregor Townsend be keeping a close eye on? There are a couple of South African-born players who are now qualified to play for Scotland, so Gregor will be watching Duhan Van der Merwe and Oli Kebble very closely.