As Welsh legend Gareth Thomas tells all in America there have been a few revelations on our own soil. Brace yourself for the Scottish rugby version of the New Years honour list…
- According to murmurs in the press the overlords at Castle Murrayfield are considering whether or not to continue with the 7s side. Uh-huh…. just as it is set to become a real global phenomenon… Too expensive to have an IRB event at Murrayfield, too? The crowd is annually small enough to fit in a prepared Greenyards in Melrose, but never mind.
- Euan Murray has opted for sanctuary in the halfway-house/money pit between Scotland and Hell; Newcastle. He joins other exiles Andy Henderson, Ally Hogg, Grant Shiells, Michael Tait and Alan Tait (-ish). I’m sure they’ll let him get his feet up on a Sunday…
- Edinburgh have ongoing issues with their season ticket holders and bars, etc… I’m staying away from this legal minefield!
- We still can’t decide on a league structure for the amateur teams! (what’s new…?!). As with the dawn of professionalism no one can agree. Just look at the comments here…
- Melrose have distracted us all from this by defeating pro-side Esher 24-18 in the British & Irish Cup!
- Attendances are down at pro games…
- …but the 1872 games were fairly entertaining! There was even a punch up, a sickeningly good offload and a lung-bursting interception try!
- Annoyingly, however, some performances in those games have worried some. With injuries to some and the poor games of others it is an interesting, if cagey period we are heading into. Low, Jackson and McLeod have been criticised after those games whilst David Blair has a list of detractors. The young stand-offs in Scotland are heading for a wake-up call, it seems. Both Blair brothers get heavily criticised and Jackson is getting huge amounts of pressure put on him. Weir must be pretty scared about returning to the fold. If none of these players start setting the heather alight (and soon, by the sounds of the chants) then there could be renewed calls for fresh 10s in Scotland. Shame how these youngsters get no time. Mr Parks should have a pretty comfortable 2011, despite underperforming for Cardiff, if forums and fans are to be believed…
Anyway… Happy New Year, everyone! I at least intend to enjoy 2011. Despite the doomsayers I’m excited about the 6N and our chances. I also think that the next two games could make or break Glasgow and Edinburgh’s seasons. Aaaaand, despite HUGE disruptions and the bizarre format of the Cup and League competitions in Premier club rugby right now I reckon it could be an exciting end to the domestic season…
What are you looking forward to most?
4 Responses
*sniff* And I was doing so well at not giving in to the annual January despair! It was cruel of you, A.D., to hit first with the point that worries me most – my most anticipated rugby event of 2011 IS the Edinburgh 7s. It’s how I started seriously following rugby. My niece is 4 and now she has the basics sorted (throw the ball backwards, knock the other team down if they’ve got the ball) I’m taking her to the 7s in May so she can see for herself.
I’m also looking forward to keeping up with this blog – you guys do a grand job and are really helping this mostly clueless rugby newbie!
The rumours are that they don’t see it as economically viable to keep the event at Murrayfield. Bizarre…
Also, the guff about discontinuing the national 7s team is silly- the other British teams will be unwilling to disband only to opt for a ‘Great British’ team (which would be financially, coaching wise and in terms of team numbers dominated by the English, one would pressume!) whilst the Irish would choose an all-Ireland team for the Commonwealth games and Olympics.
The cynics will reckon that McKie is only saying this publicly now so that, come the time of the release of annual finnancial figures, he will look like a saviour because he has “moved heaven and earth to ensure we still have national 7s side”. What a hero…
What if all the true rugby fans in Scotland got behind the 7’s event at Murrayfield, went in force and made it happen? Mckie is a moneyman and his job is to balance the books (allegedly). Scottish rugby can change for the better if we (the rugby public) get a wee bit less cynical (that includes me!) and support our game!
The problem is that 2011 is the last year Murrayfield is contracted to host the final 7s Series event. After that no one knows where it will be and McKie is having a “review”. (In 2013 the 7s World Cup is in Russia, http://ur7s.com/news/1044, and they seem to be pushing for a full time place on the circuit. Twin this with the money they are throwing at Int’l sport like the FIFA World Cup then they could be looking for a spot in the final event).
So you’re right, the only thing fans can do is turn out in force for the event this year. I know I’ll be there…
Forgot to say thanks, Jints! We do our (limited) best!