AND NOW THE HERALD REPORTS
Graham and Tait move is a blow for Borders

KEVIN FERRIE, Chief Rugby Writer January 01 2007

George Graham and Alan Tait have left Border Reivers to join the Scotland management team on a full-time basis, adding to uncertainty over the future of the professional team.
The pair have been integral members of the Scotland back-room as forwards and defence coach respectively, since Frank Hadden took over as head coach in 2005. They had been permitted to do so on a part-time basis while continuing in similar roles as assistant coaches at the Reivers.
With the World Cup looming it is entirely understandable that Hadden wants their full focus on the national side in 2007, but the apparently make-shift nature of the arrangements is what looks almost designed to encourage speculation over the Reivers' future.
Less than two weeks ago, Richie Dixon, as SRU head of projects, presented the plans to implement new experimental laws to be used in the Premier One Super Cup competition which could have global implications for the sport. He was, apparently, the man charged with supervising the project.
Now, he has been seconded, not for the first time, to help an ailing pro team in its time of need, heading back to his native Borders to assist Steve Bates, their head coach.
Greig Oliver, whose has major responsibilities as Scotland under-20 head coach and National Academy coach based in the Borders, is also now to work with the pro team, an SRU spokesman adding cryptically that: "The interim coaching appointments will be reviewed in 2007."
It is a huge tribute to Bates, Graham and Tait that their stock has remained high as coaches in spite of the Reivers having won just two matches this season.
Murrayfield's concern over their investment in a team based in the Borders can only have been heightened by Friday's latest Scottish derby when only 1542 – close to their season's best – attended Netherdale.
While attendances at Glasgow Warriors, the other pro team still wholly owned by the SRU, are hardly impressive, they have averaged around 500 more at matches this season in spite of playing in the lesser of the European competitions.

This article was posted on 1-Jan-2007, 10:04 by Hugh Barrow.