The Monday Bulletin (24th March): Gatland linked to Paris move and Ross uses his head

03/24/2025 10:33 AM

by COLIN RENTON

Youngsters face busy schedule

Venues have been announced for next month's men's and women's Under-18 Six Nations. The female tournament will take place at Wellington College in England, with the male event being contested in Vichy, France. Both will run from 10th-19th April. Each team in the women's competition will play five matches – the games against Wales, France, England and Ireland will last 35 minutes each and the final one will be against Italy over 70 minutes. Each team in the men's tournament will play three 70-minute matches. Scotland's ties will be against England, Ireland and Spain

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Honour for valued volunteers

The Bill McLaren Foundation has launched a volunteer award to recognise the invaluable contribution of individuals to grassroots rugby. The inaugural winners are Jim and Margaret Smith, who have been involved at Leith Rugby Club for 57 years. Jim has performed many roles including coach and president, as well as liaising with local schools, acting as administrator, and overseeing kit, clubhouse maintenance and player welfare. Margaret has established efficient systems, managed club membership, prepared teas for six teams after matches, and facilitated day-to-day operations. The couple received a presentation at The Voice of Rugby Dinner earlier this month.

Foster in charge for Lions challenge

Former All Blacks coach Ian Foster will take charge of a combined Australia/New Zealand side to meet the British and Irish Lions in Adelaide on 12th July. Foster, is currently working in Japan, having moved to Toyota Verblitz, where his squad includes Scot, Richie Gray, after his four-year period at the helm with the All Blacks ended in defeat against South Africa in the 2023 World Cup final. The match against the Lions coincides with France meeting New Zealand in a Test series, meaning no current All Blacks will be available for selection, although Australians and retired Kiwis still playing high level rugby could be involved.

Denholm departs Trailfinders

Scotland stand off Sarah Denholm has left English Premiership side Ealing Trailfinders. The 23-year-old was captain of the Edinburgh team that played in the inaugural Celtic Challenge before joining Trailfinders Women for the 20024-25 season. Announcing her departure on social media, Denholm, who started out at Biggar and earned her first international cap in 2019 as well as playing for the Scotland women's sevens side, stated that she believes it is time for a fresh challenge.

Gatland could bounce back in France

Warren Gatland could be set for a swift return to the game, with his name featuring on a list of potential coaches at French strugglers Stade Francais. Gatland was sacked by Wales during the Guinness Six Nations after a dismal run of 14 successive defeats. Stade have underperformed this season and are currently engaged in a relegation battle.

Scots slide in global rankings

Scotland dropped to seventh place in the world rankings following the Guinness Six Nations. England's second-place finish means they have leapfrogged Gregor Townsend's side to occupy sixth spot. South Africa still lead the way but Ireland now sit behind New Zealand. France's Six Nations win has not improved their standing. The wooden spoon for Wales sees them slide down the table, behind Georgia, who have risen to 11th place following a win in the Rugby Europe Championship final against Spain, who overtake Portugal to occupy 16th spot.

Toulouse fined for salary cap breach

French champions Toulouse have been ordered to pay €1.3 million (£1.1 million approx.) for salary cap irregularities. The punishment, meted out by the Top 14 organising body, LNR, relates to the signing of full back Melvyn Jaminet from Perpignan in 2022. The player himself bought out the remainder of his Perpignan contract, borrowing money to settle the debt of €450,000, with the Toulouse president Didier Lacroix agreeing to reimburse him. This enabled Toulouse to avoid that amount coming into the salary cap calculation. The action has now been judged a breach of the rules after meditation between the club and LNR rather than a legal case, and the payment Toulouse will make is described as a contribution rather than a fine. Jaminet has subsequently moved to Toulon – he scored 25 points in Saturday's 40-19 win over Perpignan. The sum he borrowed has not yet been repaid by Toulouse but this will reportedly now be settled.

Premiership trial will segregate fans

Premiership Rugby will conduct a trial at two matches next month that will offer supporters the chance to sit in segregated areas. The fixtures covered will be Saracens against Gloucester and Leicester's home game with Harlequins. Away supporters will have an option to gather in a single group rather than be dispersed throughout the crowd. The experiment is likely to involve a few hundred supporters and is aimed at improving the atmosphere in the stadium.

Bill Sweeney faces day of reckoning

RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney faces a vote of no confidence at Special General Meeting of the English governing body on Thursday. Alistair Bow – Chair of Nottingham Rugby and co-Chair of the Whole Game Union, which represents the wider English club game – has issued an open letter calling on member clubs to back the motion in an effort to hold Twickenham’s top- brass  to account for “severe failures” in managing and financing the game. Sweeney receiving a £358,000 bonus last year (taking his total pay to £1.1m) when the RFU made a record operating loss of nearly £38m was the straw which broke the camel’s back for many clubs. Bow has also promised that a further motion of no confidence in the RFU Board will be tabled "in the coming days", with the time come to reshape the future direction of the English game for the sake of all involved within it.

Ross ahead(er) of the game

Haddington winger Blair Ross showed the importance of keeping your eye on the ball in the build up to an impressive solo try during the 42-31 win over Forrester in East Division One:

Magnus Bradbury laments Edinburgh’s long history of “emotional and mental lapses”

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