HARD HITTING VIEW

The future of domestic club rugby in Scotland still seems to be very uncertain. There also appears to be growing discontent amongst the clubs with a lack of clarity over the Mark Dodson’s blueprint for the future, Agenda 3. Having announced the creation of a “Super Six” semi-professional layer – built around franchise clubs back in November 2017 – the successful clubs were announced in May of this year. Despite promising an even geographical representation of clubs, Glasgow – Scotland’s largest city, and where the most consistent professional team is based – was not awarded a franchise. A motion was proposed at the AGM in August for a proper consultation with the Scottish clubs and, in particular, to understand where second XV teams of the “Super Six” clubs would play their rugby – a motion that was passed. The fear from many clubs was that these teams would act as “warehouses” for aspiring professional players, hoovering up the best talent from across the country. Now, having declared that there would be no promotion or relegation from the Premiership this year, it is being mooted that this may change and that the bottom club would again go down into National League One.

All that longer term planning is rendered redundant

It doesn’t look like this will be the case, but how ironic would it be if that club were a Super Six franchise winner!? This lack of clarity has undermined the strategy and planning of those clubs who weren’t lucky enough to win one of the six franchises. Recruitment policies changed. Clubs took a longer-term view, and the assurances of no relegation, while not creating a comfort blanket, meant that for once clubs could be more strategic in their approach to their own development. If relegation from the Premiership comes into play, all that longer term planning is rendered redundant. In the meantime, Glasgow has been left with only the Warriors to fly the flag for the West of Scotland. Glasgow Hawks remain in the Premiership, but had to move to Balgray to play their home matches. Should the SRU decide to increase the Super Six to eight teams as has been suggested in some quarters, then surely Hawks will be included, given there were no other “bidders” from Glasgow. The move for greater transparency, an ongoing theme for the SRU in 2018, continues to gather pace. Yet the question still remains as to whether the governing body of rugby in Scotland will take heed. Only time will tell.