Scottish Rugby’s Post

What do you do with the sheep after you get them over the bridge.

As someone who has followed Welsh rugby for over 40 years and remains a season ticket-holder at Cardiff Rugby as well as vice-president of my home club, Pwllheli RFC, I understand the passion and emotion that surround the game. It’s a sport deeply ingrained in the cultural fabric of Wales, and decisions about its future will always be contentious. As the great Cliff Morgan once said: “In Wales, every man, woman and child is a selector” and as a result, it’s always controversial to discuss Welsh rugby, particularly during what many believe to be a genuine crisis. So it’s not surprising that a recent article from rugby great Jonathan Davies OBE has attracted both plaudits and critics. However, one thing is clear, namely that the current model is unsustainable and that change must happen and that the WRU - Welsh Rugby Union must take a strategic approach to assessing such proposals, not only from the perspective of rugby tradition, but also through the lens of governance, financial sustainability, and long-term impact. Welsh rugby is at a crossroads and by embracing change and adopting business best practice, the sport has the potential to rebuild and ensure its legacy. However, this will need the WRU to act decisively and develop a strategy for a more sustainable future. If it does not, then as Jonathan Davies warns, it could be in decline for a generation.

With the start of the Autumn Internationals, we have 3 exciting matches this weekend, all with potential impacts on the World Rugby rankings: • Sep 6: Scotland vs Wales (BBC iPlayer/RugbyPassTV) • Sep 7: Barbarians vs South Africa (TBD) • Sep 7: England vs France (BBC One/RugbyPassTV) Here’s how the rankings could shift: • England vs. France: England can’t boost their rating but stays #1. A 15+ point win for France could leap them to 2nd, ahead of 🇨🇦 and 🇳🇿! • Wales vs. Scotland: A win could move Wales to 6th, while Scotland may drop to 9th with a big loss (15+). • Scotland: Even with a win, they remain 6th, still trailing 🇦🇺 by 1.22 points. More: https://bit.ly/4dSz2nH

Sedgley Park RUFC and the undersigned Clubs of National League 1 Rugby are collectively calling for a root and branch review, independent of the current RFU Council, Board and Executive, into the governance, setup and the management of Rugby in England. Given the current state of the game and substantial challenges facing the sport we love, the National 1 Clubs believe there needs to be a wide-reaching review of how Rugby is organised in England including understanding whether the governance of the National side and Professional game needs to be fully split from the Semi-Pro and Amateur game. We believe that recent events have shown that change is required and that there have been major failures in governance and in leadership. The RFU Council and Board are complicit both in the lack of accountability and governance that the member clubs expect them to exercise, and, alongside the RFU leadership, in the lack of clarity and strategy for the development of rugby in England. We note that there will be an emergency meeting of the RFU Council on 18 December. We call upon the members of the RFU council to use this as an opportunity to instigate an independent review of the management of Rugby in England. The National 1 Clubs will act individually when it comes to arguing for or voting on any no-confidence motions that might arise either at that meeting or at any subsequent SGM of the RFU. Blackheath FC, Dings Crusaders RFC, Esher RFC, Leicester Lions RFC, Plymouth Albion RFC, Rams RFC, Richmond FC, Rosslyn Park FC, Rotherham Titans RUFC, Sale FC, Sedgley Park RUFC.

We've all been buzzing since winning a Rugby Black List award and feel more than ever that serious discussion and action needs to be taken around this fundamental question: "If rugby in England wants to engage with diverse communities how will this be achieved if diverse communities have no access to rugby?" In highly populated urban areas the required space for schools and clubs to play rugby on doesn't exist in sufficient amounts. Interesting fact - 50% of the total BAME population in England live in 3 cities. London, Birmingham & Manchester. Any thoughts? Also consider that you can't start to fudge the game (which is something the powers that be are currently working on) to create 5 a side touch and call it rugby. The beauty of rugby as we know it is that all shapes and sizes have an equal and important part to play on the pitch. Without this element it simply isn't rugby.

 I understand that World Rugby's supporters, players, coaches and pundits are happy and proud when their team wins. But is it not in the interest of these very people and the game itself, that poor and inconsistent officiating is recognised, improved and ultimately eradicated? Is winning a game of rugby really more important than ensuring that an equal contest and a fair result ensues by applying the officiating system and its processes the way it was designed and intended? How has this issue been so prominent in world rugby for the last decade without referees or the World Rugby Board being held accountable? Is it not obviously evident that it's ruining the sport? 

We are delighted to announce our new Legal Column in the ever-growing Sportin Wales magazine. Catch us on page 31, where Rhys Williams shares expert advice on navigating commercial property leases in Wales for prospective tenants. #LegalAdvice #CommercialProperty #NewColumn

I am delighted to be featured in this month's Sportin Wales magazine. You can find the digital version on their website at https://lnkd.in/eMdiuSGm Take a look at page 31 for guidance on navigating commercial property leases in Wales and England for prospective tenants. #LegalAdvice #CommercialProperty #NewColumn #CommercialLease

Ulster Rugby: Iain Henderson and Rob Herring sign contract extensions Ireland internationals Iain Henderson and Rob Herring have signed contract extensions with Ulster. Ulster captain Henderson, whose central Irish Rugby Football Union [IRFU] contract will expire at the end of the season, has penned a two-year extension with the province until 2027. Herring's new deal will keep the hooker at the Belfast-based club until 2026. - https://lnkd.in/d5Br5tZz

Can the All Blacks hold onto the Raeburn Shield? Or will France take it for the north and try to keep it for the Six Nations in 2025? The Shield’s up for grabs again, and it’s all on the line at Stade de France this week. Historically, the All Blacks have the edge in Raeburn Shield clashes against France, winning 14 of their 19 Shield encounters. Across those match-ups, New Zealand has racked up 389 points to France’s 229. But here’s the twist—France has claimed victory four times, proving they’ve got what it takes to take the Shield north. In fact, the last time France held the Raeburn Shield was back in 2009, when they stunned New Zealand in Dunedin. Now, 15 years later, they’re looking to make history again and bring the Shield back to French soil. Who’s got the edge? The All Blacks have Beauden Barrett back at 10, with Codie Taylor starting at hooker, adding depth and experience. France, however, is ready to unleash some flair, with Romain Buros making his debut at fullback. Will the All Blacks’ strong historical edge and experience see them through, or will the passionate home crowd push France to reclaim the Shield for the first time since 2009? Why does this matter? The Raeburn Shield isn’t just a trophy—it’s rugby’s lineage, passed down from game to game since 1871. There’s no ranking or committee behind it—just the result on the field. Every match is a chance to add to a tradition that stretches back over 150 years, creating another chapter in rugby’s story. So, can the All Blacks keep it in the Southern Hemisphere? Or will France reclaim the Shield, setting up a Six Nations for the ages? Either way, it’s going to be a classic. Follow the Raeburn Shield and be part of rugby history.