Scotland Rugby News 
Over half a dozen Scottish internationals and qualified players are facing next season in the English 2nd division unless Aviva Premiership bottom dwellers London Irish can avoid relegation.
The Irish Exiles club have had a disastrous season and currently prop up the Aviva Premiership table with a paltry 4 wins from 19 games played. To stand any chance of survival they’ll have to beat Newcastle Falcons, who are 4 points above them, this Sunday.
Their only hope is to overtake the Falcons
Even then Irish would need at least a bonus point win to leapfrog them and hope that Dean Richard’s men lose their remaining fixtures without picking up any bonus points themselves. Should they fail this weekend they’ll need a miracle with high flying Harlequins and Wasps their penultimate and final opponents respectively.
Normally this wouldn’t elicit must interest from many of us but, considering how many kilted players are at the club, there will be a lot of nervous Scotsmen casting their eyes south over the following weeks – none more so than Vern Cotter.
Blair Cowan of London Irish looks on during the European Rugby…
Blair Cowan of London Irish looks on during the European Rugby Challenge Cup match between Edinburgh Rugby and London Irish at Murrayfield Stadium on December 18, 2015 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images
Blair Cowan is facing an uncertain future
In total the club have four Scottish internationals in Blair Cowan, Sean Maitland, Greig Tonks and Geoff Cross, as well as promising 22 year old Scottish age grade scrum half Scott Steele.
There are also a number of Scottish qualified players at the Exiles like bullocking back rower David Sisi, the hugely exciting dual qualified centre Johnny Williams and Scottish born scrum half Brendan McKibbin (although there seems to be uncertainty about whether or not he may already be tied to the Wallabies).
Johnny Williams of London Irish celebrates after scoring a try during…
Johnny Williams of London Irish celebrates after scoring a try during the Aviva Premiership match between London Irish and Wasps at Twickenham Stadium on November 28, 2015 in London, England. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images
Jonny Williams is qualified to play for Scotland, England and Wales
[blockquote author=”Clark Laidlaw” pull=”right”]”We’re trying to create an environment (of playing freedom) all the time. It’s difficult when you’re in the situation we are.”[/blockquote]
And it’s not just the playing ranks that contain Scottish talent. Clark Laidlaw, son of Roy and cousin of Greig, signed on as their Assistant Coach following successful stints in New Zealand coaching skills to their national 7’s side and as Chris Boyd’s assistant at the Hurricanes.
Not much has been made of his quiet but impressive ascent up the coaching pecking order, but there are many who think he could be in the frame for major coaching honours in the not too distant future.
Laidlaw already has Super Rugby experience with the Hurricanes
It’s also worth mentioning that Newcastle also have a clutch of Scottish players in the form of Ally Hogg, Scott Lawson, Jon Welsh and Scott MacLeod. However, with the possible exception of Welsh, most of those players are effectively reaching the end of their careers and won’t be featuring for Scotland again.
Ally Hogg of Newcastle Falcons during the LV= Cup match between…
Ally Hogg of Newcastle Falcons during the LV= Cup match between Gloucester and Newcastle Falcons at Kingsholm Stadium on November 16, 2013 in Gloucester, England. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images
Will Ally Hogg be hanging up his boots?
So for everyone involved at London Irish relegation could have a disastrous effect on their Scotland careers. Life in the English Championship would more than likely put them in the international wilderness and, even if they could secure a transfer to another top flight club in England, Scotland or France, they wouldn’t have long to do it. They also wouldn’t have the luxury of choice with most clubs having already completed their recruitment for next season.
Sean Maitland of London Irish is tackled by Sam Hidalgo-Clyne of…
Sean Maitland of London Irish is tackled by Sam Hidalgo-Clyne of Edinburgh during the European Rugby Challenge Cup match between London Irish and Edinburgh Rugby at Madejski Stadium on December 12,… Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images
Could Edinburgh make a move for Maitland?
You can only hope that at least some of them had the foresight to put release clauses in their contracts, if not there’s nothing to stop the club’s management from forcing them to spend next year aiding in the fight to come back up. Whilst that may sound unlikely, it’s worth remembering what happened in the 6 Nations when Bair Cowan and Sean Maitland returned to the Exiles following the Wales game under the pretence of injury, only to turn out for their club that very weekend against Leicester.
It appears on the face of it that either London Irish pulled a fast one, Vern Cotter wanted to save their blushes or the magic sponges at Irish are doused in holy water. Either way you wouldn’t count on the kindness of their coaches when it comes to putting a player’s international ambitions before their day job.
There have also been quite a few rumours that Sean Maitland, in particular, is very unhappy at the club and is looking to leave ASAP.
Could that mean a return to Scottish rugby? It’s certainly possible that Gregor Townsend may be keen to bring him back in, especially now he has money to spare following the premature return of Taqele Naiyaravoro to Australia. He’d also be a big boost to Edinburgh’s backline, which would be ironic considering they reputedly turned down the opportunity to sign the fast man back in 2012.
Greig Tonks of London Irish is tackled by John Afoa and James Hook of…
Greig Tonks of London Irish is tackled by John Afoa and James Hook of Gloucester during the Aviva Premiership match between London Irish and Gloucester Rugby at the Madejski Stadium on March 20, 2016… Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images
Greig Tonks may well be regretting his mid season move from Edinburgh
When it comes to back rowers both Glasgow and Edinburgh seem pretty well stocked, so the likelihood of Cowan coming up seems reasonably remote. As for Tonks, a move back to Edinburgh would be more than a little embarrassing considering he only left the club last month.
[blockquote author=”Greig Tonks” pull=”normal”]”I’m enjoying being part of the club and set up, but obviously I’ve arrived at a tough time”[/blockquote]
The signing of Williams, Steele and Sisi would be hugely beneficial for either of the Scottish clubs and for the Scotland team itself, but we don’t yet know if any of them intend to plump for England or Scotland yet.
At this point we can only speculate what may happen, especially as this is may all be academic should the results go their way, but one thing’s for sure, there are more than a few Scotsmen who’ll be wishing for the luck of the Irish this weekend.
UPDATE:
London Irish Head Coach Tom Coventry has this afternoon implied that Maitland and Cowan may indeed have release clauses in their contracts.
“There are players here who have contracts that enable them to exit if they wish and I’m confident that guys have bought into this club and what we’re trying to achieve here” he told Sky Sports.
“But we also know the internationals will have to consider their careers because I’m not sure how many international players are picked out of the Championship.
“As a general rule, I’d like to think these guys are in it for the long haul and will fight their way through the good and the bad times.”
Blair Cowan is also quoted as saying “I still have international aspirations, so I need to be at the top of my game and in the top competition to be considered for that.”
Can they stay up? If relegated which players would you like to see back in Scotland and, if so, at which club? Let us know in the comments below.
This is why we need a third pro team
And that third team should be London Scottish.
London Scottish are based in London so it wouldn’t be a third Scottish team
Well that’s true, but as long as it was run in same way as existing pro teams it can work. Perhaps if italian teams leave Pro12 Scottish could slot in. I reckon they are being primed for that already.
Archie O’Devlin London Scottish are part of the SRU, who have recently called them the 3rd Scottish Pro team in press releases
Bring back the Borders!
We have one London scottish
Craig Wright
Only theoretical and not perfect but here is a potential 15 if Scotland had a 3rd Pro12 team, made up of players currently out of Scotland;
1 Jon Welsh
2 Scott Lawson
3 Moray Low
4 Richie Gray
5 Scott MacLeod
6 Blair Cowan
7 John Barclay
8 David Denton
9 Greig Laidlaw
10 Ruaridh Jackson
11 Tim Visser
12 Duncan Taylor
13 Alex Grove
14 Sean Maitland
15 Greig Tonks
A strong team, bring back the Borders!
Not too shabby! That would be a mighty expensive team though
Very true, and sadly money is probably the only obstacle to this happening… I’d chip in a fiver?
It would benefit Scotland Rugby to have more teams. More teams means more academies and talents coming through rather than having to naturalise people
Geoff cross on the bench!! He’s still at Irish believe it or not, but just isn’t featuring
Cos he’s no good ^
I used to rate across very highly, I thought on his loan spell at Glasgow he was very useful. He did a lot more in the loose than Murray did and had age and Sunday availability on his side, hence I was a bit surprised when Cross wasn’t offered a contract and Murray was.
*Cross
Cross hasn’t played for the LI first team since 2015
Cross has been on loan to London Scottish for a few months
Darren Cruickshank
Edinburgh could do with another centre, so should sign Johnny Williams if given a chance.
Wouldn’t that be nice! Top talent
What are Williams qualifications for Scotland? I’m sure he could get lured away from LI if they get relegated, but are the SRU’s pockets deep enough to attract him?
He’s only 19 so so much potential
As he’s young you won’t need deep pockets
Collectively, the team need to stop being the problem and start being the solution. Their first loyalty must be with London Irish Rugby Club.
Sam Andrew Marsh if Irish go down, then I’d expect most, if not all of the players mentioned to move without much of a problem. Would like to see Maitland back at Glasgow but doubt it.
Apparently he’s been raving to other players about the Weege, so don’t see why not.
Maybe he can persuade Williams to head north? But he’d probably be better at Edinburgh given the relative strength in the midfield at Glasgow.
Scotland Rugby News they’ve already signed Sarto for next year, which probably takes the slot they’d offer Maitland. Having said that, Glenn Bryce is off to Edinburgh, so there might be an available spot (money notwithstanding)
Douglas Luke I’d take him at Glasgow, if only to cover Bennett, Dunbar and Horne for Six Nations duty initially!
If relegated, London Irish should join the Guinness Pro league!
Maybe all 3 Exile teams should. Would open up the London/Reading/Oxford markets
Scotland Rugby News but would that mean expanding the “12”, or would the Italians be dropped?!
As an LI supporter I don’t think the fans and the club itself would want to join the pro12
Archie O’Devlin would the travelling be an issue? Glasgow Warriors supporters, and those from the other Pro 12 sides, are happy to visit grounds in Ireland, Wales and Italy. But perhaps the Pro 12 may be too tough a league for clubs in the second tier of the English game!
Duncan I’m not sure it probably would be as most of the fans are around London.. But if travelling isn’t an issue when Glasgow play muster for example then it may not be for the exiles.
All three exiles clubs be very small squads too
Duncan
Archie O’Devlin I recognise that the squads may not have the depth of the 55 we have at Glasgow; it’s one of the reasons that we have survived in the Pro 12 during the RWC and the 6 Nations.
I have little sympathy for the club that was once London Irish; I haven’t since the disaster that was the “merger” with London Scottish and Richmond.
There’s nothing London or particularly Irish about the current set up.
Personally, I’d prefer to see London Scottish join the Pro 12 with a mandate to attract Anglo-Celts and other Scotland qualified players not currently living in Scotland. There’s enough of us down here with Scottish roots to make a solid support base, and there are plenty of Welsh and Irish who would be attracted by the prospect of seeing their teams play a game in the capital.
Good memory on the London Scottish/Richmond affair, the only remnants of which are two tiny emblems on the shirt.
London Scottish are a huge market and have expressed that they’d like to do more for Scottish Rugby. Let’s hope the Pro12 board agree.
Cowan and maitland will move, tonks isn’t good enough that’s why Edinburgh let him go
Would love to Williams at Edinburgh. He’s just what we need and I could see him doing well for Scotland. Maitland would also help give the black and red backs some bite.
Johnny Williams at Glasgow, he’s an inside centre and would be good cover – indeed the only cover – when Dunbar and Horne are off on international duty.
David Sisi at either Edinburgh or Glasgow as back-up to Du Preez or Harley. He prefers 6 but plays across the back row, a useful talent to have and a good ball carrier.
Scott Steele at either, as a replacement for Mike Blair if he can’t continue or a 4th scrummie at Embra. SHC is not playing well just now, his passing is dreadful, Kennedy is not playing as well as he used to for some reason, though Fowles had a good 7s, Steele could be the right guy at the right time.
None of these guys, at 22, 23 and 22 respectively,will be on big wages, so ideal cover for the teams.
I would take Sean Maitland like a shot for Edinburgh at full back, Glenn Bryce will be good and young Kinghorn looks a future cap, but Maitland, even off form, oozes class that Edinburgh badly needs in its backline. I suspect the SRU would need to open the vaults for that signing, but the alternative of his going back
down under if he can’t get an Aviva berth would not be good news for Scotland.
down if under
Did Sean Lamont not play in the English second tier when with Northampton and keep his place with Scotland?
Was it not around that time that Lamont moved to the Scarlets?
Northampton played in the lower league 2007-2008 and Lamont moved to Scarlets in 2009…if you believe Wikipedia…
Fair enough, I was too lazy to look! Hasn’t hurt him too much, playing some of his best rugby this last year! You well?
Sleep deprived but a teething seven month old daughter will do that…
Another option could be if Maitland didn’t have a release clause, LI could loan him back to Glasgow for a season? Similar arrangement for Cowan, although Worcester tried this with Grove to Edinburgh when they went down. Sadly he either didn’t fit, or said the wrong thing and we never saw him again, a real shame as he was impressive in his first tests then sank without trace.
Pharic MacAllister
Conor James Day
Does anyone know where Ben franks will go?
London Irish are relegated now….
Doh
Ecniomoes are in dire straits, but I can count on this!