Every nation has these ingrained quirks and preferences. New Zealand long favoured the second five-eighth over the English crash ball centre, and so on.

But now, finally, Scotland might pick a stand-off in Greig Laidlaw who has evolved as a scrum-half too, so maybe it is a developmental ploy that we should be taking more seriously.

Alan Massie, one of the more lucid rugby thinkers in the employ of Johnston Press, wrote an article many years ago about the possibility of converting Mike Blair to a fly-half and pairing him with Chris Cusiter – that way, we’d have our two best players on the pitch. Typically, such original thinking was shouted down, the shouters’ eyes blinded by their traditional thoughts on what a stand-off ought to be.

But in rugby terms, it makes sense to cloud the distinction between the positions. So often the 9 runs past the 10, thereby making the ball slower. Age-grade ‘patterns’ have impressively cottoned on to this fact and so the 9 and 10 do switch yet very little time is spent improving the 10′s scrum-half pass or box-kick. If this is something we are going to commit to then the skills coaching has to reflect this half-back duality.

The benefits of the French system are numerous. Sharing responsibility takes pressure off the 10 – he doesn’t have to make so many decisions. The ‘cult of the 10′ that characterises British rugby at the moment leads to the 10 being overly praised and overly criticised. This is partly a reaction to Mr Wilkinson and his (fully justified) deification – though it means that every 10 who follows has to ‘steer’ the team, kick all the goals, throw all the right passes. It’s illogical. The French realise that the 10 has enough on his plate trying to spark the backline that they even take the pressure of goal-kicking off him.

So if we are going to adopt the French model then we have to loosen our grip on the cult of the 10 and the weight of expectation that falls on their shoulders. In France, 10s are not coached to control the game. Instead all focus is on the skills of passing and catching, running onto the ball and delivering effective passes. This is the bread and butter, not the pin-point kicks to the corner that ‘put their team in the right places’.

Last year, I wrote about my conversation with a coach in which we discussed the differing attitudes to the development of 10s, fly-halves, stand-offs and second 5/8ths. It’s worth quoting:

“On the topic of fly-halves and the ‘controlling of the game’, for the French, they only worry about that side of the game when the player is a bit older, certainly older than me, and definitely only once they have mastered getting a backline moving and attacking the line – the basics.”

While on the topic, it should be stated that positional specialisation  is just one damaging way in which British players ‘grow up too fast’. We start contact too early and we pigeon-hole players at too young an age, to the detriment of their general basic skills.

It is worth looking back to recent French examples of the model. Michalak/Elissalde worked for many years, with the Toulousains having the same time in a club environment that Blair/Laidlaw have to build up the understanding that is necessary to make this blurring of the roles work. That is why Elissalde was always preferred to Yachvili, who was also slightly less adept at first-receiver. The World Cup saw Yachvili/Parra tried out. While lambasted in the press, I don’t actually agree that it was a failure, and Parra proved himself quite capable of playing first-receiver. Francois Trinh-Duc is more a ‘traditional’ stand-off in that he is incapable of playing 9. However, he is far from British in the way he plays. He doesn’t kick goals (regularly) and it could not be argued that ‘controlling a game’ is his outright strength. Like Michalak, he is a runner and a passer.

It’s time Britain and Scotland in particular left behind the ‘cult of the 10′ and moved on to more logical rugby. Let’s hope the emergence of Greig Laidlaw leads to a sea-change of attitudes at youth level where players are not told they are a stand-off and handed a large, metaphorical weight of expectation, but instead told they are half-backs and play-makers. Edinburgh have reaped the benefits this season – let’s hope Scottish rugby learns from this so that multi-talented, skilful players like Laidlaw become the norm and not the exception.

Asked what he thought of the honour the 109 cap man said: “I’ve only ever focussed on playing well and doing the supporters, myself and my family proud. To be even nominated for this honour is something I would never have imagined. To be recognised in this way for doing something you love to do is a wee bit strange to be honest but it’ll be a nice reminder of what I’ve achieved in both club and international rugby.

“There are so many who have helped with my career, going all the way back to playing at Galashiels Academy.  Gary Parker and Garry Callander at Gala; Ian McGeechan, Jim Telfer, Frank Hadden, Mick Byrne and all the current Scotland coaching team. Through school rugby and my professional career Rob Moffat was a great mentor and inspiration and always available whenever I needed to chat something through with him.

“I’ve been fortunate to play with so many great players and I’ll never ever forget the cheers of those Murrayfield crowds.”

‘Mossy’ recently retired from international rugby but will continue to focus on playing for Edinburgh Rugby, watching over the sides run in the Heineken Cup and RaboDirect Pro12 from full-back. He has been the symbol of Scottish rugby for several years now and the entire rugby community including all of us here at Scottish Rugby Blog join in congratulating Chris on his outstanding career and this deserved award.

So here’s a little bit more about Scott Meenagh.

Private Scott Meenagh was on tour of duty with 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment in Afghanistan when his team were hit. As Scott climbed into his sleeping bag after completing night patrol his world changed forever when an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) detonated. Scott went to help his colleagues and the private who had been injured and it was on a final sweep of the area that Scott himself stepped on an IED.

Pte Meenagh lost both his legs at the knees but remained conscious and composed enough to apply life-saving treatment to himself. As colleagues rushed to his aid, a third IED hit the team, killing one of Scott’s friends. The next time Scott opened his eyes, he was back at the military hospital at Selly Oaks in Birmingham.

A life-long rugby fanatic, Scott coached and played rugby around Cumbernauld, attaining his coaching license before joining the Parachute Regiment.

At The Sun Military Awards on Tuesday night (December 20) Scott was presented with the Overcoming Adversity award in recognition of the way he has come to terms with what happened in Afghanistan.

Speaking to scottishrugby.org, Scott said: “I was so shocked to get an award, I genuinely didn’t think I would get anything. I’m pretty speechless to be honest with you.

“It was a really good night, an amazing experience.”

Since being wounded he has taken up ice hockey, archery and sailing and also won medals at the Endurance Games in America for water-skiing. He now intends to cycle three thousand miles across the USA, with the help of ‘Battleback’, an initiative designed to get wounded soldiers back into sport.

Scott explained how he and seven other soldiers will take on that challenge: “There will be eight of us in the team and we’ll be taking on the race in a relay, cycling twenty four hours a day. There is a cut off of nine days to complete the race but we’re aiming to do it in eight.”

Scott also says he will continue to pursue his first passion of rugby. “I still keep up with what’s happening at Cumbernauld Rugby club and I want to get back into rugby coaching. I’ve been following the Warriors and managed to get to a couple of games at Firhill. I’ll be along at Murrayfield too for the game against Edinburgh.

“There’s a great buzz about Scottish Rugby at the moment and I’m very confident for the 6 Nations.”

Colin Thomson, Head of Community Rugby, said: “What Scott has gone through is unimaginable for most of us, but the way he has tackled these new challenges and faced them head on is a testament to an incredibly strong character.

“I’d like to congratulate Scott on the award and wish him well for the challenges he sets himself in the future.”

It’s been more than 3 years since the area was closed to cars and a large area of the land was lost permanently due to work on the Edinburgh tram initiative and the Water of Leith flood prevention scheme.

In that time the remaining space was developed to include three high quality grass pitches and an IRB compliant all-weather pitch. These three grass pitches are used by pro, international and local teams to train and play but Scottish Rugby has managed to find a solution which allows for occasional vehicle use without overly damaging the playing surface.

The capacity of the car park will be around 700 cars. The cost of the car park pass, £25 per car, will include entertainment on the remaining space around the “back pitch” area, including on the all weather synthetic pitch area.

Dominic McKay, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, said, “ We are delighted to be able to offer supporter car parking at Murrayfield Stadium. We are planning to enhance our match day experience for all our supporters and offering car parking is another step on our journey in putting our supporters first.

“We’ll be putting on live entertainment on the back pitches and we want to get people back in the swing of using it as a place to meet up with old friends and savour the unique atmosphere at Murrayfield during the RBS 6 Nations.”

As the area is used daily by rugby teams of all levels, Scottish Rugby has committed to a significant investment in providing the covering and roadways required to minimise damage to the pitches.

Debenture holders will have a priority period in which to purchase a limited number of passes while taking up the option to purchase tickets (up to and including 31 December 2011) thereafter there will be a further limited public sale in the New Year.

Full information about the offer is available at www.scottishrugby.org

The sporting world is thankfully trying to engender discussion about racism. Perhaps it has no choice as impossibly famous figures like Tiger Woods come into the spotlight with stories of his former caddy, Steve Williams, making racist remarks at a dinner. In England Premiership footballer Patrice Evra had accused Liverpool’s Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez of racist language. QPR defender Anton Ferdinand quickly followed suit, indicting England captain John Terry for using similar terms.

It therefore made sense for some journalists to try and see what major names in World sport thought of the incidents. However, when FIFA president Sepp Blatter was asked what he thought of the footballing episodes by Al-Jazeera Television and CNN the Swiss politician replied that with racism players should just shake hands and leave it on the pitch.

Understandably this caused uproar. Blatter misinterpreted this outrage as people thinking he was a racist. This is not what people thought was wrong. It was more that he appeared willing to accept some forms of racism and not to acknowledge the lasting damage of any slurs directed at someone’s appearance.

This got me thinking. Surely this problem is not one unique to golf or football? Yes, we can talk about the fantastic changes in attitudes and the welcoming nature of Rugby Union. Teams refusing to play South Africa during apartheid was noble and right. Yet it does not mean those in rugby circles can ignore questions of racism now. It still exists.

Do not get me wrong. This is not a diatribe or a witch hunt. I am not going to name names or launch unsubstantiated attacks. Awareness and education is my only intention.

A team mate of mine, 27 year old CJ Osazuwa who is of Nigerian decent, spoke to me about whether or not he has had experience of racism in Scottish rugby. “Since I have been back playing in Scotland [since August 2008] I am glad to say there has only been one instance of racism” he told me. “A couple of weeks back when playing at 2nd XV level one opposition player thought it fit to say something distasteful.”

I am pleased to say I have never seen or heard anyone do this. I am proud of rugby in Scotland for having a relatively good record with things like this. We must be aware that it does happen, though.

Former GHK, Dundee HSFP, Glasgow Hawks and Club International flanker George Oommen is one of a tiny minority of rugby players that has an ethnic background in India or sub continental Asia. In fact he tells me that he thinks he can “only count two or three Asian guys I have played with or against.” He has certainly felt different, but it is a familiar stigma he has experienced. “I have been called a ‘nigger’” he tells me.  He can rattle off a list of other obscenities but the image is clear. He has been singled out.

In March of 2002 John Beattie wrote an article for the Herald about an incident of racial abuse Oommen experienced whilst playing for GHK. The player in question was banned by his club and Beattie himself “applauded” the club for swift action. He then went on to say that there was no room for disgusting hate-fuelled tactics in rugby.

According to the 2001 census only 2% of Scots are non-white. As part of a minority it is perhaps easier to become known, particularly within a small and structured world of Scottish league rugby. “Incidents become less and less as you get older” Oommen insists “but not once has anyone approached or asked what has happened in the game, or acknowledged it [racist incident] has happened. People generally just brush it off.”

Now I am not implying that this is an issue endemic in Scottish rugby. It is not rife. There are no huge conspiracies to cover it up. Any incidents, thankfully, appear to be fleeting and incredibly infrequent. For example former Glasgow flanker Steve Swindle and current Glasgow winger Dave McColl are both happy to report they have never had any experiences of stigma or abuse. Our rugby certainly looks to me to be safer or more tolerant than some other sports.

The phrase I keep hearing is “It’s not as bad as football.”

Firstly, it saddens me that football still has this hanging over it. It is such a far-reaching, all-encompassing sport that one would think things should be better than they are. Osazuwa tells me “When I was playing semi-pro football I used to get racist abuse every two or three weeks, either by other players or more often than not the forty-odd fans and their dog.”

This is bad. It also makes rugby look better. But saying very few incidents are better than a fair few incidents is like comparing one kick in the pants to two. We should herald our sport as one where no incidents occur.

Thankfully our governing body are prepared to act. A few years ago the SRU held a hearing about an incident involving a player from Boroughmuir and Oommen. The SRU was prepared to act and by doing so it sent a message. It was not carried out behind closed doors. Also, a referee has assured me that if a top level ref heard any racism it would result in a straight red card. Any players come forward? It goes up to the SRU. How they handle it is up to them and their selected committees but perhaps there should be a set protocol for the handling of all racist behaviour…

I would not say that this is a problem eating up Scottish rugby. It is still a problem though, regardless of how little it comes to light. The key is educating the younger generations. Some DOs live in areas where there are few minority communities. Some work in areas that there are many. It should be a major part of the SRUs remit to reach as many with the positive powers of rugby as possible. Look at the new development at Inch Park Community Sports Club, in South Edinburgh (Lismore RFC). They go out of their way to say that they want rugby to reach minorities.

In the end it is about promoting tolerance and stamping out ignorance and abuse. Football has the ‘Kick It Out’ campaign. The SRU has aligned itself with ‘Show Racism the Red Card’ in the past. What has rugby got now, though? Let’s be proactive about issues like this. Let us also talk out if we come across anything hateful instead of just passively ignoring it.

Like Hearts and Balls and Yorkhill Children’s Foundation, the Cystic Fibrosis Trust will be assisted with player appearances, charity events and the opportunity to fundraise directly at matches and through the Warriors’ official website.

The Trust was nominated by Warriors staff as a cause that has personal resonance for them.

Cystic Fibrosis is one of the most common life-threatening inherited diseases in the UK. Over two million people in the British Isles carry the faulty gene that causes Cystic Fibrosis, and more than 9,000 sufferers are living with the condition.

Cystic Fibrosis affects the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, by clogging them with thick sticky mucus. This makes it hard to breathe and digest food. Each week, five babies are born with Cystic Fibrosis and two young lives are lost to the condition. Only half of those living with Cystic Fibrosis are likely to live past their late 30s.

Much promising research has taken place in recent years with a view to dramatically improving the outlook for sufferers of the condition.

Since the identification of the gene that causes CF in 1989, significant time and money has been invested by the Cystic Fibrosis Trust to discover a way to correct the basic genetic defect or add a healthy copy of the faulty gene. The UK CF Gene Therapy Consortium based in London, Edinburgh and Oxford have developed a gene therapy product, which they are putting through tests for safety and efficacy before multi-dose clinical trials. This is the first time anywhere in the world that the CF gene therapy has been studied in this way.

Gene therapy aims to add a healthy copy of the faulty CF gene to the lung. The Cystic Fibrosis Trust has brought together 80 of the UK’s leading scientists and clinicians to drive this research forward through the UK Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy Consortium. The scientists have developed a product, which they plan to put into a one year multi-dose clinical trial.

It is estimated the product for the trial will cost at least £6.5m, and this is now the focus of the Trust’s fundraising drive.

Glasgow Warriors chief executive Kenny Baillie commented: “We’re privileged to be welcoming the Cystic Fibrosis Trust as our third official charity partner.

“The cause is close to the club’s heart, as we know the devastating effect that the condition can have. With the work being done on gene therapy, there is a real prospect of advances that could have genuinely life-changing implications for thousands of people.

“The aim of the partnership is to help in some small way to raise awareness, and ultimately funds, for this incredibly valuable project.”

June Ross, regional fundraising manager for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust in Scotland, said: “We are thrilled that Glasgow Warriors have chosen the Cystic Fibrosis Trust as an official charity partner.

“High-profile rugby clubs like the Warriors can really boost the public’s awareness about this life-threatening condition while providing the opportunity to fundraise and make a real difference to over 9,000 youngsters across the UK.

“The CF Trust relies on fantastic opportunities like this to carry on its vital research work to find a treatment or even a cure that would prevent two people a week dying from Cystic Fibrosis. We are very proud to be working with Glasgow Warriors.”

For more information on Cystic Fibrosis and the gene therapy project, please visit www.cftrust.org.uk.

A series of reviews were carried out by the RFU, the RPA (Rugby Players Association) and the combined Premiership rugby clubs and were presented to the Professional Game Board (PGB) last week. As of yesterday some of the findings were leaked and although those that left statements throughout the reviews were left anonymous there was definitely a sense that certain individuals were meant to be placed under extreme scrutiny.

The most damning report was that of the RPA which let those players involved in New Zealand have their say without fear of reprimand. This is the report which has fallen into the hands of The Times reporters and has been printed in near entirety.

In said report Martin Johnson is singled out as not having “the b******s to take action, especially after the Tindall night. He was too loyal and that was his downfall.”

His staff (with the exception of Graham Rowntree) were singled out as being inept or unsure of the right moves to take for England. One player said, “The coaches’ philosophy on how to play the game was very different. The coaches really hate each other.” Another stated, “They’d had four years to develop a plan and it felt like they were doing it off the cuff.” In fact Smith (Attack Coach) and Wells (Forwards coach) were both said to be “out of their depth” and of Wells it was said “there must be 20 coaches in the Premiership who would be better.”

No punches were pulled in reference to the senior players, either. Lewis Moody was said to be toothless as a captain and the picture was created that Tindall was beyond caring about responsibility or his new found celebrity. The implication shines through that some senior players saw no issue with their behaviour and young guys new to the international scene saw first-hand that drinking, taking training lightly and having minimal comeback from coaches was acceptable.

Perhaps most worryingly, though, was the level of disparity evident in this leaked report.

“As a group, we behaved like everyone should pander to our every need. At times we were mindless and reckless,” one player said. Another stated that “it’s our own fault we came back so unpopular.” However, in the exact same report there were players stating that “Drinking games are something that happen. It’s a part of how a group of lads relax,” whilst one tried to fob off judgement claiming “Ireland had been in there [the Altitude Bar in Queenstown] and were much worse, but I think they might have taken the press with them.” The squables and moaning must have been at fever pitch…

Now without labouring a point it is clear to see that the England camp was a fractious one. Indeed the RFU itself is fractious. Just look at how those involved took to an independent inquiry from Fran Cotton. There was contention at all corners and it was scrapped.

When I was working in London over the summer I met and spoke with an ex-international who had attained a copy of the Blackett Report on the inner workings of the RFU and how the governing body dealt with the dismissal of CEO John Steele. Of course in that instance I was assured the leak came from someone in the RFU who had done so for the love of the game and because they felt it was the only way to ensure that the RFU’s didactic policy of blissfully ignoring problems until they had sailed into the cliff face would not continue.

In this instance I cannot help but feel this has happened for the same reason. No bungs. No back-handers. No revenge missions. This report, in my mind, has been leaked because people that hate seeing their game diminish have had enough of seeing inept coaches, selfish spoilt players and unknowledgeable officials retain their office.

Let us not make the mistake of watching on whilst shaking our heads. This has far reaching implications for the Northern Hemisphere. England have exposed long-standing traditions of drinking cultures and laughing off hard training. Wales were dubbed ‘saints’ by Northern press because they were not going out boozing. Why? At the very pinnacle of our sport we should expect a level of abstinence. Players don’t ‘need’ to drink. There are thousands of other ways to let off steam.

Scotland went out drinking at this World Cup. Plenty of times. Perhaps they showed some decorum. Yet Scotland’s internal assessment of their worst ever World Cup will remain internal. Why? Because there is no legitimation crisis at the SRU.

We have a new CEO. Our last one stepped before he was pushed, and now jets off into a life in the Far East with no worries about inquests and expletive reports. Our coach has a long-term contract and international pedigree. The players seem, on the surface, to respect his say and internal discipline has been shown to be sturdy and fair. As far as I can tell Scotland have some players who are on the fringe just happy to claim appearance fees but only a couple could be accused of thinking “it was more about getting cash and caps than about getting better.”

Martin Johnson “fell on his sword” according to a unanimous English press. Up here I would say that the weight of his own short-comings pressed him onto it. Rob Andrew is lucky to be there still and this leak certainly puts pressure on him. Particularly as he was named.

Messrs.’ Wilkinson, Thompson, Alred, Smith and Wells may soon be joining Tindall, Moody and Johnson on the way out the Twickenham door. For us things seem much less turbulent. An inquiry may be underway, but in reality we only need a new SINGLE full-time captain and some new faces in the backline and second-row. Townsend will be reviewed but we will likely accept him staying. There is still room for improvement with our team.

Scotland has issues. All Northern Hemisphere teams do. Thank our lucky stars that we are not tearing ourselves apart from within over them, though, and we have time to learn and replan. Perhaps the fans deserve to know what such a plan would involve?

The Edinburgh Rugby boys spend a considerable amount of time developing their athletic prowess to give them supreme strength, speed, agility and protection for the physical, bruising encounters.  It also means developing a physique with rock hard abs, gluts and guns!

Edinburgh Rugby centre, Nick De Luca, is the main driving force behind the calendar.

He said: “It’s a labour of love that started out when the rugby club began its association with the charity but, three years on, I count the staff charity among my personal friends and hope to support the charity for the rest of my days.

“We do it because charities, unfortunately, are an essential part of so many people’s lives and they need our support. The little help we do can make a real difference to someone’s life. Maggies is a great charity and I’m very proud to be involved.

“Creating the calendar is always a bit of fun but can be a bit of stressful. I’m a bit of a perfectionist and enjoy bossing the boys about but I’m really happy with the outcome and pleased to be part of a project that raises money and awareness for such a good cause.”

Last year the players’ calendar raised more than £14,000 for the charity and this year aims to pass that amount.

Ross Rennie and Netani Talei

This year’s theme revolves around the players’ day-to-day lives in training which seems to involve naked boxing and some sort of greased-up wrestling with a rope. It also features a few special rugby guests from outside of the Edinburgh Rugby camp – the best of the rest! We took a look at the calendar and those of you poor souls who miss ogling a one or two of our Welsh or French exiles should be happy indeed. I don’t want to spoil the surprise but their names rhyme with Shorn Ya Want and Tax Heavens.

Ross Ford

Those who want to appreciate the amount of training the Edinburgh Rugby squad get through can get their hands on all of the complete pictures in the 2012 Edinburgh Rugby Calendar from edinburghrugbycalendar.com, from the Scottish Rugby Store at Murrayfield, www.scottishrugbydirect.com, or in the Greaves Sports Stores on Gordon Street and Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow.

It’d make a great Christmas present for that special woman/man in your life.

The event is one which will commemorate the rich history and unique competition of the Calcutta Cup, celebrating one of the oldest rivalries in sport. Former Scotland back-rower, and competitor in Scotland’s memorable victory over England in 2000, Stuart Reid felt it important to help set up this event. Perhaps more significantly, though, he and those at Glengoyne Whisky felt it important to align this event with some prominent charities.

On the eve of Scotland and England’s opening match in the RBS Six Nations past and present players (including: Jim Telfer, Fin Calder, Scott Hastings, Gary Armstrong, Brian Moore, Matt Dawson and Mike Teague) will join under the banner of the Auld Enemies dinner, but also under those of Help for Heroes and the Bill McLaren Foundation.

As we were told at the launch the two charities, one aimed at rehabilitating wounded servicemen and women, the other aimed at gifting rugby opportunities to youngsters, were happy to be associated with such an illustrious new event. The panel were in agreement, though, that they were humbled even by association with such noble causes.

The event itself was a formal one, though. I found myself looking on in reverence at those there to represent Help for Heroes. I watched as Stuart Reid, Finlay Calder and Gregor Townsend floated around the room, getting pulled away for chats between stop-offs at the shortbread plate. Cameras tried to catch glimpses of natural conversation- which there was plenty of.

Inevitably talk turned to rugby matters.

Calder in particular did not hold back when talking about the Scotland team at the World Cup. He did attest that “If you went back to the 2003 tournament, when we got through after scrapping for a last-minute try from Tom Smith, and 2007, when it was really close against Italy, they weren’t exactly glorious, so it [failure to reach the quarter-finals] was maybe coming. We went away in eighth place and came back in ninth [in IRB rankings], so it wasn’t a hanging offence, and we had a tough group,” in front of several journalists before following up with ““I couldn’t understand them taking off key players, guys playing the best rugby of their lives. Allan Jacobsen, Ross Ford and Euan Murray I’d have on for the full monty” with Townsend, in earshot, simply smiling.

He conceded to me that this was perhaps still the fashionable thing to do, but was senseless when players were “having the game of their life”.

Calder is a man who is still very passionate about rugby. I could tell this as he ambushed me just when I thought it was safe to take my first sip of coffee. We spoke about what he thought of the fantastic wins at the weekend and he was full of praise for the young stand-offs Weir and Leonard. He finds the young Glasgow 10 “impressive” and by the third time he cracked the joke “Harry Leonard: he’s about 12 isn’t he?!” before going on to praise Bradley for consistently selecting him and telling of his promise, you knew he was pleased with the 19-year-old’s work.

Townsend agreed. “Both [Weir and Leonard] have done very well. Obviously this is Duncan’s second season at pro level, but he has made really good progress this year controlling games. Both 10s are learners. They want to get out there, see what they need to work on and actually do the work during the week.

“It’s been great seeing Harry come through as well because he’s only 19-years-old and for his third game at professional level to be a Heineken Cup victory away from home, that is going to give him a lot of confidence. Both of them know they are at the beginning of their career so there is still a lot to work on but it is really great from a coach’s point of view that we’ve got good young Scottish players standing up.”

In fact everyone at the event was impressed with Leonard. He is one of those nice surprises: a young player that comes out of obscurity to perform, thankfully, without too much media pressure or the pressure of lauding peers. So is Townsend leaving Edinburgh be, to nurture this talent until the right time for him to get his hands on him?

“We work fairly closely. I’m in Edinburgh one day a week and then Glasgow one day a week talking with Harry about his game and then Duncan. I have gone through with Duncan every match he has played at a professional level. It is an integrated process. Obviously their coaches at Edinburgh and Glasgow work with them much more than us and if they believe that they should be selected then great, but it is fantastic to see we’ve got more options coming through in key positions.”

In Glasgow this is predominantly the case. So many new contracts have been handed out for that very reason. In the Glasgow versus Bath game in particular the youngsters were at the fore. Someone asked me via Twitter after that game if Simon Taylor, in his battles with that young Warrior back-row, looked good enough to pip those to a Scotland recall. I doubted it, particularly after Lineen chose to heavily praise Harley and Wilson after the game. Nonetheless, I put this to Townsend: was there scope for recalls?

“That is an interesting question, that. If players are coming back in to help the development of other young Scottish players –obviously if they are Scottish qualified -then we’ll look at that as well. With the question of bringing in players we’ve got to make sure the balance is right, and they’re not keeping someone out but helping them on, particularly in areas where we’ve got strength. Back-row is certainly a position we’ve got a lot of strength.

“[Bringing older, experienced guys in to work with youngsters] depends on who’s available. What has been shown over the last couple of months is that young players have stepped up. You’ve got Rob Harley who was in this situation a year ago when Glasgow had a couple of injuries and he took his chance and has now proven himself to be one of the best players in the Glasgow squad, captaining them and leading the tackle count in the Pro12.

“Opportunities are there for young players and they are there for experienced players as well, but it is hard to look at a global picture. It is case by case.”

And with that everyone left, looking to the past but wandering into a future which felt slightly more secure. There was just enough time to grab another word with Calder who now wanted to speak about club rugby and back-rowers in that field.

He certainly has views: he reckons that the Club split has shown that eight teams look stronger than all others and that the league should be shortened further to that number, rather than a ten-team Premiership next season. He would also agree that there should be expanded participation in the B&I Cup. After all, Melrose and Ayr did very well in that competition at the weekend.

When he found out I played for Heriot’s he also wanted to make sure I knew he was a fan of Scotland 7s star Struan Dewar and then asked how destructive break-away Michael Maltman was getting on at Moseley. Good, I thought. See you when we play Stew Mel? Ok, sure.

He is aware of young rugby players and he passionately believes in bringing Scottish rugby forward. It is a good sign, then, that both he and Scotland Attack Coach Townsend like what they have seen in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Hopefully both teams, and both young 10s, prove them right in Round 2 of the Heineken Cup.

For more information on the Glengoyne Auld Enemies dinner visit their site. Booking information is found therein. Please do also visit Help for Heroes and the Bill McLaren Foundation sites.

As if the pro-team wins weren’t enough to give us a little fillip here in the world of Scottish rugby, Melrose and Ayr both fought back to secure last-gasp victories as they edged past their respective opponents 19-17 and 18-17.

Ayr were boosted by the addition of Johnnie Beattie and Jon Welsh with the former grabbing a try in the closing minutes after the Scots were down 17-5 at half time, while Melrose were down 17-0 at halftime and fought back for the win at the Greenyards.

It wasn’t all cheery though, as Currie were defeated 16-31 at Headingley. London Scottish were in action too, going down 63-0 to Llanelli who must be building a fair bit of depth, the Scarlets having also been in Heineken Cup action this weekend winning 31-23 (Sean Lamont dotted down for a try).