Scottish Rugby chiefs warned to increase the number of pro teams in Scotland ...

MURRAYFIELD chiefs were last night urged to double the tally of pro teams in a bid to boost Scotland’s flagging fortunes.

The “Change for Scottish Rugby” pressure group – who have signed up almost 6000 followers since the Calcutta Cup debacle – believe there is no option but to revive the Borders and Caledonia regional outfits.

And

their plea was backed up by legend Sir Ian McGeechan who insists the Scots will have no chance of being a Six Nations power until they have more pro players to choose from.

He said: “We have Scotland trying to compete at Test level from a base of just two sides.

“In the past we always had to punch above our weight but this is pushing water uphill stuff.

“With

so many overseas players in the game – Edinburgh routinely field a pack

containing just one or two Scottish-qualified players – the true scale of the problem is clear.”

But

the former Scotland and Lions coach believes just one extra team should

be added at the moment – and reckons it should be set in either Aberdeen, Dundee or Perth.

McGeechan said: “The base has to be expanded which means a third pro team, almost certainly based in the north.

“The Borders has a rich rugby history but it does not have the population or the background economy to sustain a team.

“Aberdeen

ticks both boxes, although games could also be played in Stirling, Dundee or Perth. It is expensive, of course, but try counting the cost of Scotland dropping out of the elite tier of rugby nations.

“The SRU have announced plans to fund an eight-team semi-pro league based on traditional clubs so clearly they have some money to spend.

“With three pro sides, and with a pool of quality players playing outside the country as well, you have something much closer to the Irish model.”

But the CFSR pressure group want to go even further than McGeechan in the long term,

A

spokesman said: “Three pro teams is a definite, achievable short-term goal – but a fourth team is what we think Scotland needs to aim for long-term. We need to go down to grassroots level and produce talented young players in the knowledge they will have the chance to turn pro.

“As it stands, if we produce 40 players with great potential, there is no chance they will all get a chance at pro level.

“With the help of one new pro team we can create the infrastructure and building blocks that can provide a platform for a fourth team in a few years.”

Article source: http://www.dailystar.co.uk/rugby-league/360654/Rugby-League-St-Helens-hairy-prop-Kyle-Amor-hoping-to-win-trophies-with-the-Saints

Scottish Rugby chiefs warned to increase the number of pro teams in Scotland ...