EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS REPORTS
BILL LOTHIAN

ANDY IRVINE will tonight tell delegates at Scottish Rugby's annual general meeting in Edinburgh that an oval ball revolution is well and truly underway - on and off the pitch.

The SRU president says the confidence factor is stemming not only from the field where Frank Hadden's take over saw a revitalised Scotland beat world champions England to claim the Calcutta Cup, as well as defeating France and Italy in the Six Nations, but backstage too. Work behind the scenes, led by chief executive Gordon McKie is credited with shoring up the business side.
Advertisement: JP Research Survey

The former Scotland and Lions Test full back/wing, said: "Success is probably easier to gauge on the playing side. If anybody had offered three wins out of five from the RBS Six Nations then most would probably have settled for that, albeit not many might have guessed the order these victories came in.

"As for off the field, new accounting structures mean we now have a more accurate picture of worth whereas going into last year's Autumn internationals the man on the moon probably had a better idea of what the budget should be that we had!

"There still is a lot of work to be done," stresses Irvine.

"But, under Gordon's direction, there is more sentiment now moving in Scottish Rugby's favour while the overall brand is improving not withstanding marketing is the next big push.

"Hopefully current improvements will lead to boosts for the three main income streams which are television rights, gate receipts and sponsorship."

It really is, though, all about on-field results as Irvine acknowledges, adding: "It is a helluva lot easier to succeed if the team are winning and with the nation behind them.

"This year's Autumn Tests will really reveal where Scottish rugby stands with the public who have a chance to watch Frank Hadden's side play Romania, the South Seas XV and Australia for a total of £30.

"So far as the playing side is concerned it might be a few more years before important changes to the representative structure agreed with the clubs begins to bring youngsters through.

"But thanks to Frank Hadden's coaching and also his man management skills the same guys picked by previous coach Matt Williams are playing for the jersey as I'd expect them always to do.

"Here, Frank made the point very well when, in a recent meeting, he said the reason for any success the players have had was that they were trying harder than other sides.

"In many ways the SRU owe it to Frank to ensure that we not only retain the three existing professional sides but look to grow them to foster the national side.

"In that regard I would hope that in five years we might have added another team (in the North) and beyond that, who knows, have fulfilled maximum capability by establishing a pro-rugby base in the Midlands

For the moment the examination of those wanting to invest has to be rigorous because they have to be keen to get involved for the right reasons.

"For me it is just a pity that the truly big hitters of the Scottish financial scene such as JK Rowling, Tom Hunter and Brian Souter are not rugby nuts, but we will continue to bust a gut to see if others are out there willing to get involved.

"At the same time Irish progress culminating in Munster winning the European Cup was organically grown and we can do likewise.

"Why shouldn't Edinburgh perform as well as Dublin-based Leinster who defeated (holders) Toulouse on their way to a European Cup semi-final?"

Such remarks take on even more significance given Edinburgh will play Leinster in next season's tournament eagerly-awaited tournament, and while Irvine has operated at the highest level it is to his immense credit that club rugby remains central to his philosophies.

"In an ideal world all clubs would have their own youth academies but it hasn't been possible to create that.

"Fortunately, thanks to guys like Jock Millican, a passionate and intelligent Premier Division One Forum secretary, understandings have been reached that will see promising players withdrawn for spells to work on their conditioning so that we never again inflict on the under-19 side that lost 3-78 to Australia last season the lack of preparation they took into those world championships.''

This article was posted on 30-Jun-2006, 12:37 by Hugh Barrow.