DAVID SOLE ON RUGBY

At the start of the last decade, I wrote about the importance of a good Six Nations – how Scotland had often promised much, but failed to deliver.

There was also the hope that one or other of the professional teams would reach the knock-out stages of the European Cup and the need for greater integration between the amateur and professional games in Scotland.

It was time to stop being the poor relations of rugby in the northern hemisphere.

In many respects, not much has changed in 10 years and so the opportunities, if you’re an optimist, still exist.

With three recent international retirements, it is possibly the time to have a clear out of the old guard in the Scottish squad and give some younger players their head in the team.

Many of them have promised much and have great potential.

Jamie Ritchie and Magnus Bradbury from Edinburgh and Zander Fagerson and George Horne from Glasgow could be at the heart of the Scottish team for the next few years.

There are a few exciting players around. But pulling them together to produce consistent, high-quality performances remains Gregor Townsend’s greatest challenge.

In the professional game, Edinburgh appear to be closing in on Glasgow as Scotland’s favourites. Without Finn Russell and Stuart Hogg, Glasgow have lost some of their sparkle and fans are

‘ Without Russell and Hogg, Glasgow have lost sparkle and the fans are turning

beginning to turn.

A strong finish to this season and one or two marquee signings could turn that around, but Richard Cockerill is bringing a sharper edge to Glasgow’s capital counterparts.

With a new stadium, Edinburgh could find themselves the SRU’s favourites very soon.

After 10 years, the Super6 has been deemed the vehicle to close the gap in Scottish rugby. The jury is still out as to whether it is the right mechanism for this as it is only in its first season.

The schedule of matches doesn’t seem to correspond with the main rugby playing season and it feels too incestuous at the moment.

Youth rugby needs to take a step forward. Having been relegated from the premier competition at Under-20 level, Scotland need to ensure they are building a strong pipeline of talent.

Much was made of Scott Johnson’s academies. But they are yet to bear fruit if results are the measure.

The one great plus on the horizon is that finally, after years of being burdened with debt, the SRU will have money in its coffers from the CVC deal with the Pro14.

It will need to invest wisely and governance and accountability needs to be tightened, as the Gammell/ Murray report suggests.

The next decade offers much, but my optimism of 10 years ago was misplaced. Hopefully it will not be misdirected for a second time.