Rugby: Coach calls for change to season's structure

Nov 14 2012 by Kenny Smith, Rutherglen Reformer

Cambuslang Rugby Club coach Scott Forrest believes that winter rugby has had its day.

The former Scotland 7s captain, feels that it’s time for a change as the long nights draw in.

Speaking after his side had beaten Clydebank on Saturday, Scott said: “I’ve been speaking to a few other people in the game, coaches and referees, and we all agree that it’s a bit crazy.

“I was talking to some of the guys at Ayr, and they think if their games go ahead at Millbrae, that would be their pitch done for a few weeks.

“You look at the fixture lists, and you see there’s games being arranged all the way up to Christmas, and there’s even games scheduled for December 29 as well.

“Let’s be honest - we all know when you see those games listed there’s a good very chance that, because of the weather we have here in Scotland, that there’s a huge possibility none of them will go ahead.

“That just means that even though the league is scheduled to stop at the end of March, you’ll be playing into at least April, or possibly even May.

“The big danger at this time of year is, if you play on your pitch one Saturday, you could do so much damage to it that it’s going to be out of action for up to a month, at least - and that’s before you consider the long-term damage as well.”

See page 83.