The Herald reports
ANDY NICOL
The news that one of Scotland's pro teams was to be franchised off was hardly surprising. It had been common knowledge that the Scottish Rugby Union were desperate to offload one of the major drains on its resources, but the potential investors seemed to be looking at Glasgow.
It was, then, a major surprise yesterday when it was announced that Edinburgh were to be franchised to a private company. But it makes perfect sense to me.
If I had the necessary money and the inclination to invest in Scottish rugby, I would want to buy the only team that has had a modicum of success and the one that has most of Scotland's top players.
Edinburgh became the only Scottish team to qualify for the knockout stages of the Heineken Cup a few years ago when they beat Toulouse at the group stage.
They finished high up the Celtic League last season and, for long parts of the season, looked like they might actually win it. They have Chris Paterson, Simon Taylor, Mike Blair, Ally Hogg and Scott Murray – five of Scotland's best and most marketable players who, along with seven of their team-mates, contributed to more than half of the Scotland squad which enjoyed its best season for years.
So who has bought Scotland's top team? Bob and Alex Carruthers, brothers from Kirkcaldy, signed a five-year deal to own Edinburgh with Alex becoming the executive chairman of Edinburgh Rugby Ltd.
The great news is that they are both genuine rugby men who understand Scottish rugby and have a real passion for it. They will know more than most that there is no quick buck to be made out of Edinburgh but, by committing for five years, they have taken a long-term view.
I played with Alex many years ago for the North & Midlands and he was a fairly uncompromising centre who had real enthusiasm for the game but also for the game to be played in the right way.
He did not take any prisoners on the pitch and he will not take any in his new role.
One major criticism of professional players in Scotland for years is that they can exist within a comfort zone because they are not answerable to one person but an organisation. But that has changed for the Edinburgh players. I doubt Alex will allow players who are under-performing or coasting simply to pick up a pay cheque to remain with Edinburgh for too long and that will improve things immensely.
I was surprised with the announcement yesterday because I had not heard any rumours whatsoever about the Carruthers' interest.
I know a lot of people at Murrayfield and in the media and nobody had mentioned this name which suggests that, finally, Murrayfield has sorted out the 'leaks' that made it resemble a sieve at times.
I was once told I'd been dropped by Scotland by a friend who had heard from a friend who worked at Murrayfield.
Without having a crystal ball, I would wager that, by the end of next season, the other two pro teams will be franchised out as well.
The consortium in Glasgow headed by Brian Simmers and David MacKay appears to have the necessary support to eventually run the Warriors but just needs a bit more time. Which leaves the consortium that first showed a public interest free to look at the Borders.
Graham Burgess and Kenny Logan have had a proposal on the table for years but their desire to move any franchise to Stirling probably counted against them if they intended to buy Edinburgh as the SRU would always want a team in the capital.
They still might get a team there but that might be determined by how the Borders region gets behind its pro team in the coming season.

This article was posted on 11-Jul-2006, 07:37 by Hugh Barrow.