SCOTTISH RUGBY Chief Executive Mark Dodson says that Super6 will return from the Covid-19 lockdown before Christmas with a ‘sprint’ competition which will involve the competing teams – Ayrshire Bulls, Boroughmuir Bears, Heriot’s, Southern Knights, Stirling County and Watsonians – playing each other in a series of games, although the exact details of how this will be formatted remain unclear.
Dodson was responding to a question about whether the part-time professional league, which had its debut season cut short by the crisis, may face the axe as the governing body looks to cut costs in response the Covid-19 crisis.
“I’ve not got any concern about the Super6 franchises from a financial point of view,” he said.
Club rugby edges towards a season structure for 2020-21
Six Nations announce outstanding fixtures in both Championships
That was the month that was: July 2020
“We’re looking to introduce a ‘Super6 Sprint’ competition just before the end of the year, where we have five games taking place. We’re still in the throes of working this out, but we’ll have the five games taking place between, say, November and the end of the year, and that will mean much-needed games for the Super6 players and a financial boost to the franchises as wellll.
“Our principal focus is to make sure that rugby resumes across the country, first and foremost at grassroots level, and secondly to try and get Super6 away at the same time. Because we believe that if we can get the rest of the game away by 31st October, then we should be able to get five games maybe of our Super6 Sprint tournament together by Christmas – as a precursor to the main event, which will be the year after.
“But also we’ve got to give our players across the piece some meaningful game time and further prove the concept of Super6.”
- Dodson was speaking during a wide-ranging press briefing this afternoon [Friday], in which he stated that he believes the Covid-19 crisis will cost Scottish Rugby £18 million in lost revenue. More to follow at 10pm.
A course of sodium thiopental might prove beneficial.
Dodson appears deluded (or possibly strangled by his once-shiny halo).
I just enjoyed last years Super 6 so much. I eagerly looked for information about this year’s program and now I have it. Delighted with the news. I much prefer their semi-professional approach,
Bob Alexander.
Glad you’re enjoying it, Bob. I’ve not been able to get into it myself – I’d prefer if the SRU developed and promoted the Premiership & Nat 1, with their local derbies and greater geographic reach. But if you’re enjoying the S6 then that’s great.
Looks like big cuts in Womens and grassroots game in England, now rumours about cuts to their 7s programme.
Budget for Womens and grassroots game in Scotand not that big, so savings got to come from somewhere – will we see S6 and 7s take a hit to protect the Pro teams as far a possible?
It’s his baby .
He’s never going to admit it’s been a big mistake that nobody’s interested in .
Not sure how Super 6 in November with Covid restrictions is going to provide a financial boost?
True but then there is seldom any correlation between the words this man utters and reality.