Their most recent win over Italy aside, these are painful times for Scottish rugby.

That 34 – 10 victory at Murrayfield two weeks ago was Scotland’s first in a Six Nations campaign since they beat the same opposition in March 2011 and is only their second victory in their last 12 matches in the tournament.

Scotland also had a poor autumn, finishing outside the IRB’s Top Eight after defeats to New Zealand, South Africa and most-harrowing of all Tonga at home.

When Ireland line out at Murrayfield they will face some decent players like half-back Greig Laidlaw and speedy winger Sean Maitland. But overall it is a beleaguering time for Scottish rugby and many of the problems seem to stem from domestic level.

While Ireland can draw on players produced by the four provinces and Wales can all upon four teams, Scotland only has two - Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors – competing in the Pro12.

Initially when the Celtic League was founded with the advent of professionalism, the Scottish Rugby Union was supposed to administer four teams: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Border Reivers and Caledonia Reds. But with debt problems due to the renovation of Murrayfield, the SRU were forced to amalgamate them into two distinct sides.

Amalgamation

Amalgamation does not seem to have made Edinburgh or Glasgow much stronger at European level, as Scotland remains the only nation other than Italy not to have produced a Heineken Cup finalist – although Edinburgh came close last year. There have also been no Scottish winners of the Pro12, with Edinburgh the sole side to reach the Playoff final back in 2009.

But the lack of Scottish teams reduces the number of top level players available for the national team. For example if two of Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connacht were to fold, it would have a detrimental effect on the production line of players for Ireland.

With so few options at home, some players have to look towards the Top 4 or Aviva Premiership where they are not guaranteed starters which again affect the national side.

The lack of funds available for investment into grassroots rugby is another issue which will stymie any notions of progress with the SRU only counting on less than half the revenue of the IRFU and Welsh Rugby Union – which explains why they have been looking to sell the naming rights to Murrayfield in order to raise some much needed funds.

 

©INPHO/James Crombie