April 2020 - The Offside Line

SRU Vice President Ian Barr, Chairman of the Scottish Rugby Board Colin Grassie, SRU President Dee Bradbury, Chief Executive Mark Dodson and Scottish Rugby General Counsel Robert Howat at the 2019 AGM. Image: Fotosport/David Gibson

Updated: Decision-Making Matrix shines a light on SRU governance failings

30 April 2020 David Barnes 37

The Council’s inability to oversee and hold to account the SRU Board has been a major concern for clubs in recent years …

Simon Hickey and Dougie Fife join Edinburgh’s list of leavers

30 April 2020 Stuart Bathgate 1

EDINBURGH have published their definitive list of players who will be leaving at the end of the season. In addition to the high-profile departures previously announced, Richard Cockerill’s team have confirmed that stand-off Simon Hickey …

Jim Mallinder took over as Director of Performance Rugby in January. Image: © Craig Watson - www.craigwatson.co.uk

Jim Mallinder says Leinster must win the PRO14 title on the pitch

29 April 2020 David Barnes 1

Scottish Rugby’s recently appointed Director of Performance Rugby has had an eventful first few months in the job …

Matt Scott has left Edinburgh to join Leicester Tigers. Image: Fotosport/David Gibson

Matt Scott leaves Edinburgh for Leicester Tigers

29 April 2020 David Barnes Comments Off

39-times capped centre was in some of the best form of his career playing for Edinburgh before the coronavirus lockdown …

Bill Noble will be Gala's Director of Rugby next season. Image: Fotosport/David Gibson

Gala find a blend of youth and experience with new coaching line-up

29 April 2020 David Barnes 1

Bill Noble has been recruited as director of rugby, while Southern Knights full-back Fraser Thomson will lead the coaching panel, assisted by Opeta Palepoi, Euan Dods and John Amos …

Glasgow Warriors coach Dave Rennie. Image: © Craig Watson - www.craigwatson.co.uk

Leinster deserve to be awarded PRO14 title – Dave Rennie

28 April 2020 Stuart Bathgate 4

Glasgow coach believes champions should retain crown in interests of sporting integrity and player welfare …

SRU Vice-President Ian Barr has been added to the SRU Board. Image: Craig Watson

Governance ‘task force’ to be disbanded – Ian Barr added to SRU Board

28 April 2020 David Barnes 9

Focus of the business must be purely on dealing with the impact of Covid-19 …

Richard Cockerill offers robust defence of Jordan Venter signing

25 April 2020 Stuart Bathgate 3

Edinburgh coach is set to go into market again if Simon Hickey’s departure is confirmed …

Craig Jackson preparing for his challenge on Sunday.

Southern Knights skipper Craig Jackson takes on 12 hour challenge to support battle against Covid-19

24 April 2020 Gary Heatly Comments Off

He will complete a 3km row, a 4km run and a 5km cycle triathlon every hour between 7am and 7pm on Sunday …

Sheila Begbie, the SRU's director of rugby development. Image courtesy: Scottish Rugby/SNS Group.

SRU urges more clubs to apply for Hardship Fund before end-of-month deadline

23 April 2020 Stuart Bathgate 15

Prize money to be redistributed to clubs as part of coronavirus lockdown support programme …