Future of ex-Scotland skipper John Barclay decided at Edinburgh
Edinburgh head coach Richard Cockerill still has his heart set on finishing the Guinness PRO14 season despite the Scottish Government’s gloomy forecast for sports fans and the complications around the cross-border competition. Cockerill’s side sit top of Conference B and were well on course for the end-of-season play-offs before the coronavirus pandemic stopped sporting events.
PRO14 chief executive Martin Anayi last week claimed he was “really confident” about finding a solution to complete the campaign, which has eight rounds of regular fixtures to go. But Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon warned sports fans on Monday not to expect action to resume any time soon – and even cast doubt on the feasibility of playing matches behind closed doors.
Cockerill, whose side also have a European Challenge Cup quarter-final at Bordeaux outstanding, said: “We have all got families and kids and parents and grandparents so the most important thing is to make sure everybody is healthy and safe and then if we can make sure that is guaranteed we can get back to going about our daily lives.
“But I don’t think Nicola Sturgeon or Boris Johnson even know what the actual case is, it’s the same for everybody across the world at the minute. It’s more complicated in the PRO14 than it is in England and France. It’s going to be hard in the very short term because you look at South Africa and Italy, there are going to be issues coming and going from there.
“Even in the UK, it’s going to be difficult to go and visit teams in other countries. I’m sure the PRO14 are looking at every way to try and get some sort of conclusion to the season. We all hope that in some way shape or form we can have a conclusion to the season because a lot of hard work has gone in from everyone. But we are guessing whether we are going to be allowed to have public gatherings or even play behind closed doors.”
The @johnbarc86 Column:
'Firstly, it is not out of the question that this season is over'https://t.co/6pkfchyRX1
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 20, 2020
Cockerill recently agreed to a pay cut as the Scottish Rugby Union looks to mitigate the financial impact of the health crisis by reducing the wages of high-earners. But Edinburgh are in a relatively strong position for next season after doing their recruitment and re-signings early.
Cockerill, who confirmed that ex-Scotland captain John Barclay would be leaving in the summer, said: “We are probably 95 per cent done recruitment wise and probably even a bit more than that. If we don’t recruit another player now before the start of next season we’ll be more than happy with what we have got. We have a small bit of budget left but financially it’s not the right thing to be doing.”
High-earning players have also been asked to take wage cuts and Cockerill warned smaller pay packets might be the new norm across the rugby world. The ex-England international said: “We don’t have a product and aren’t bringing in any income. In the real world, people have to make sacrifices and take less money or be made redundant.
“When things start again, the financial model will be slightly different and coaches’ and players’ salaries will be significantly less, I would have thought.”
– Press Association
Comments on RugbyPass
100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
8 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
8 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
8 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
8 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
7 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to comments