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Russell controversy the spark for proposed radical SRU shake-up

By Online Editors
Finn Russell will not return against England this weekend (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The Scottish Rugby Union is set to shake-up its internal structures as part of recommendations made by an independent review of the Murrayfield set-up.

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Entrepreneur Bill Gammell and Scottish Ballet chairman Norman Murray were tasked with assessing the SRU’s corporate governance in the wake of the Keith Russell affair last year, when the governing body was found to have unfairly dismissed its director of domestic rugby, who is also father of Scotland star Finn Russell.

Their review has now proposed the abolishment of the SRU Council and the SRU Trust – which has held the SRU’s key assets, including Murrayfield itself since 1911 – and the creation of a ‘New Scottish Rugby Board’ that is directly accountable to clubs.

The plans – which have the backing of SRU chiefs – also call for roles of president and vice president to be combined, with president acting as an ambassador and to be elected by clubs on an annual basis.

Two new boards are also to be set up. A new rugby development board is recommended to oversee the grassroots game in Scotland while a professional performance board (PPB) would be responsible for the sporting elements of the Glasgow and Edinburgh pro teams and the new Super6 competition.

(Continue reading below…)

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The PPB would be made up of nine members, including Scotland coach Gregor Townsend. The plans are set to be examined by clubs at a meeting next month but Gammell and Murray have urged members to back their proposals.

In a statement, they said: “It is increasingly clear that the structure and constitution of the Scottish Rugby Union needs further reform and improvement to reflect the dramatic changes in the game at this time. We believe that while the proposals are radical, they are pioneering, progressive and positive for the whole of the Scottish Rugby community.

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“Scottish Rugby must have a future-proofed organisation that has the skills and structure to develop both the domestic and professional game and ensure that the two sides of the sport are working together. We believe our proposal, if adopted, would give Scottish Rugby a world-class governance structure.”

– Press Association 

WATCH: Finn Russell gives Jim Hamilton a kicking masterclass at Racing 92’s traning ground in Paris

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Bull Shark 1 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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