The Monday Bulletin (24th February): Rachel Malcolm signs off in style and Ewan Johnson linked to Toulon move
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Malcolm signs off in style
Scotland women's captain, Rachel Malcolm, signed off on a winning note as she and her Loughborough Lightning colleagues posted a dramatic 36-34 success against Trailfinders Women at Franklin' Gardens on Friday, the final match of the season. Malcolm has been with Lightning since the club was formed in 2017 and is the longest-serving member of the current squad, having switched from hockey to rugby at the age of 25. She announced last week that she was leaving the club.
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Murrayfield experience for Strathendrick girls
Scottish Rugby sponsors Arnold Clark arranged for the under 14-girls team from Strathendrick to enjoy an inspiring day at Scottish Gas Murrayfield watching the Scotland men's team prepare for this year’s Guinness Six Nations. The youngsters had a close-up view of their heroes ahead of the tournament opener against Italy. Strathendrick were also one of the lucky winners of Arnold Clark’s Gear Up For Sport campaign and received new sports kits. Through the Arnold Clark Community Fund, Arnold Clark has given away 300 sports kits to support youth sports teams across the UK.
Scots to the fore as MLR kicks off
Old Glory DC, with Rob Harley as captain and his fellow Scotland cap Damian Hoyland at full-back, staged an impressive fightback to edge out Miami Sharks 31-29 and open the MLR season with a win. Sharks led 29-10 with 14 minutes to play, but Old Glory, who are coached by former Edinburgh back-row, Simon Cross, bagged three converted tries to snatch the victory. There was also a winning start for Hamish Bain, who helped Chicago Hounds to a 25-22 success away to Houston Sabercats, despite being yellow-carded for collapsing a maul.
Johnson in demand
Scotland lock Ewan Johnson is a wanted man in France. He has previously been linked with a possible move to Toulon. Now the 25-year-old, whose contract with Oyonnax expires in the summer, is rumoured to be a target for Bayonne. The Basque club has been active on the transfer market with three recent acquisitions and is now looking to bolster the second-row. Efforts to lure the South African Salmaan Moerat and the Australian Lukhan Salakaia-Loto have come to nothing, and the focus has switched to Johnson, who has the added attraction of having come through the French system and therefore not being regarded as a foreigner.
Youth rugby withers in the shade
Eagle-eyed supporters of Scottish rugby may have noticed team graphics on social media and short posts on the respective club’s websites ahead of a game between Edinburgh Rugby U18s and Glasgow Warriors U18s at Hive Stadium last Sunday, which the away team apparently won 36-33 in front of a small crowd of family and friends. There was precious little further information made available about this event. Compare and contrast with the efforts made to celebrate youth rugby in England though the U18s Academy Finals Day with seven matches shown live in an eight hour broadcast on YouTube, and in Ireland where Premier Sports are live broadcasting eight matches from the 2025 Bank of Ireland Leinster Rugby Boys Schools Senior Cup.
The Leinster Rugby Boys Schools Senior Cup is coming to Premier Sports! 🏉
We will be showing 8 games exclusively live from the competition, starting with Blackrock College v St. Mary's College from Energia Park 📺 pic.twitter.com/04x5aybo3r
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) January 9, 2025
Fixed wage agreed in England
The Professional Rugby Board has confirmed a fixed wage for full-time rookie players in England. The agreement between the Rugby Players Association and Premiership Rugby means that, from next season, those on contracts will have a guaranteed income. Under-19s will receive £18,200, and under 20s will have a salary of £20,200. Those sums can rise once a player has made eight appearances in the Premiership or European competition.
Tonga want Mo'unga
Media in Japan are reporting that All Black stand-off Richie Mo'unga may switch allegiance to Tonga, the country where his late father was born. The 30-year-old is currently in his second season with Japanese outfit Toshiba Brave Lupus having signed a three-year contract. All Blacks policy dictates that only New-Zealand-based players can be selected. Mo'unga has not played international rugby since the 2023 World Cup final. He also qualifies for Samoa, where his mother was born, and would be eligible for the country of either parent in October 2026.
White shirts for men from the Emerald Isle
Ireland's decision to wear unfamiliar white shirts against Wales in Cardiff drew some online criticism. However, there were good reasons for switching from the familiar green strips. The move was designed to help supporters with colour vision deficiency, better known as colour-blindness, which commonly makes it difficult for sufferers to distinguish between red and green.
Paris date on the cards for Lions
Rumours in France suggest that the French Federation is in discussions over a match against the British & Irish Lions in 2027. The teams last played each other in 1989. Should it go ahead, the game, which is likely to be played at the Stade de France, according to the usually well-informed rugby paper Midi Olympique, will be little more than a money spinner for both sides.
GHA back at the top table
There may have been disappointment for travelling Scotland fans at Twickenham, but it was not all doom and gloom for those who made a road trip on Saturday. GHA supporters who travelled to Biggar enjoyed a triumphant afternoon as the Braidholm men posted a 34-21 win at Hartreemill to secure a return to the Premiership next season.
Josh McKay announces lay-off
Glasgow Warriors fans will have been disappointed to see full-back Josh McKay announce on Instagram that he is facing a couple month lay-off following an ankle operation. On the plus side, Ollie Smith has now played two full matches for Glasgow Warriors in the last month, as well as over half a game for Emerging Scotland against Italy Under-23 in December, since returning from a year out with a knee injury, while Kyle Steyn is also closing in on his latest comeback with national head coach Gregor Townsend revealing over the weekend that the 31-year-old is hopeful of appearing for Scotland before the end of the Six Nations.
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6N: England v Scotland debrief: A cruel game but did Scotland get what they deserved?
The post The Monday Bulletin (24th February): Rachel Malcolm signs off in style and Ewan Johnson linked to Toulon move appeared first on Scottish Rugby News from The Offside Line.
