All roads lead to London Scottish, a club back on the brink of the big time

THE value of bonus points in rugby has been clear in London Scottish's rise in recent weeks to within sight of England's Championship, but the club's efforts could also bring a significant bonus for the Scottish game.

The famous Athletic Ground in Richmond will again glory in its Mecca status for Scots this weekend as the Sunday scheduling of the Six Nations clash allows what London Scottish have labeled its 'Calcutta Cup Weekend Festival'.

It kicked off yesterday with the 'Powder Byrne Schools 6 Nations Tournament', Merchiston Castle and Fettes College - Fettes beat Merchy 17-12 and finished last night unbeaten - joining eight schools from each of the Six Nations, and continues tonight with over 500 guests attending the Deutsche Bank Sportsman's Dinner where former internationalists Damian Cronin and the late Cammie Boyle will be inducted into the club's 'Hall of Fame'. Gavin Hastings, Kenny Logan, Paul Burnell and Jim Calder are also part of the entertainment, and some may be persuaded to turn out tomorrow in the Wooden Spoon International Legends Match as part of a day of bands, family entertainment and giant screen viewing of the big game just a stone's throw from Twickenham.

However, there is an atmosphere bubbling at London Scottish that goes beyond live music and champagne due to the efforts of the club's 1st XV. They have been steadily building their way back up through the leagues after being cast to the basement by the RFU as punishment for going bankrupt in the early days of professionalism. Supported by a board chaired by David Reid, the Tesco chairman, the club has brought together over 90 investors of varying wealth and has plans for increasing the current 1m turnover to something more comparable with the top Championship clubs in coming years.

First they have to get there. After starting this season in National League One with three defeats, Scottish have won 19 games in a row and the 29-11 victory over Cinderford last weekend took them above promotion favourites Barking and into top spot, by a point, for the first time. The winners will be promoted to the Championship, the division directly below the Aviva Premiership.

Barking still have a game in hand and remain unbeaten, with 20 wins and a draw, but Scottish's tally of 17 bonus points from 22 games has given them fresh hope, especially as they have Barking still to play. There is clear potential for Scottish to become Scotland's much-needed third professional team.The blocking of paths of young Scots to the pro level, and struggles of players such as Ruaridh Jackson, tomorrow's stand-off, to receive regular pro rugby before this season, due to a Scottish game with just two teams, Glasgow and Edinburgh, has been a fundamental hurdle to Scotland's ability to develop its talent and achieve more consistent success.

Tony Copsey, the former Wasps and Harlequins chief who took over as London Scottish Chief Executive last May, believes there is potential in Richmond to help the Scottish game. He said: "We have had different relationships with the SRU over time, but the club currently receives not a penny from the union and stands very much on our own feet. "I think it is important that London Scottish is self-sustaining and continues to build its place in the business and rugby worlds of London, and this month we will also be launching 'Hong Kong Scottish' officially, which is an attempt to tap into the ex-pat community across there. They will be at Melrose Sevens next month, which is great.

"The roots of this club remain tied with Scotland and there is no doubt that there is as much scope now as there ever was, maybe more, for us to uncover Scottish-qualified players, give them a rugby home and play a part in developing them. We would love to be able to help Edinburgh and Glasgow, and be Scotland's third pro team, by providing more opportunities to play at a good level."

There is a strong Scottish influence already at the Athletic Ground. Iain Fullarton has now retired, but internationalist Ben MacDougall and sevens cap Ian McInroy play, Scotland U20 caps Josh Brown, Willie Lipp, Lewis Calder, Ross Grimstone and Craig McGrath are all involved, and the 1st XV squad includes Aberdonian Callum Grant, Tom Yellowlees from Perth, Oli Brown, the Scotland U21 flanker formerly of Boroughmuir, ex-Glasgow lock Andy Newman and Scottish-qualified lock Graeme Smith from Northumberland.

The SRU Chief Executive, Gordon McKie, has shied away to some degree after receiving criticism for putting money into a team based in London at a time when it was struggling to finance the two in Scotland and the club game. He pulled 40,000 from the London Scottish academy, but SRU-funded exiles manager Rob Brierley and coach David Butcher are working hard to strengthen the wider exiles links. An SRU spokesman said yesterday that they were monitoring the club's progress and would continue to support the club "in a variety of different ways".

After the Calcutta Cup celebrations this weekend, it will be back to business with Scottish away at old rivals Cambridge, the top points scorers in the league, and currently in third spot.

Copsey added: "The boys have done brilliantly this season, but we still have a lot of work to do to get up into the Championship, with eight big games to come and a massive one to finish with Barking in May.If we do make it we will then enter a whole new financial arena in the Championship.

"But we are aware that the SRU are currently working on a new strategic review for the Scottish game and all I would say is that when they know what direction they want to go in, sit down and talk with us because we would like to find a way to fit in with that and help to provide an extra resource for Scottish rugby."