John Jeffrey on board as SRU seek more influence

The SRU has been concerned in recent seasons at a perceived lack of weight at the top level, and at this year's AGM, clubs agreed to allow the union to co-opt representatives it felt would best serve Scottish rugby but who were not elected through the game's current council and board system.

Jeffrey, the former Scotland and British Lions back-row forward, and known throughout the rugby world as the "White Shark", will replace Gordon McKie, the SRU chief executive on the IRB who has occupied the position since 2006.

Bill Nolan, a former SRU committee and council rep, will remain alongside Jeffrey even though he lost his seat on the SRU council.

Jeffrey, a former Kelso, Scotland and British and Irish Lions player, is also a former member of the SRU executive, having served on the board and been a national selector, but he quit controversially in 1998, lambasting the then SRU leadership as being riven by what he termed petty jealousies, parochialism and self-interest.

He returned as manager of the Scotland U21s and then U20s, and admitted yesterday he was keen to remain involved in the sport.

"I have been looking for a role in rugby since my retirement as Scotland Under-20 team manager 15 months ago," he said, "and when I saw the Scottish IRB representative advertised I was immediately excited.

"I see it as an extremely challenging position, but one which, with my background, I think I can well represent Scotland's viewpoint at the highest political table. It is a great honour to be appointed as the Scottish IRB rep and one where I will strive to continue the good work that has been done by the previous IRB representatives. In particular I am looking forward to working with Bill Nolan and benefiting from his great experience."

The SRU also announced its representatives on other boards where three former members benefited from the new protocol. Malcolm Gillies, a former SRU committee member, was restored to the Six Nations Championship committee, alongside board non-executive Jock Millican; Jim Fleming, the former international referee, is back on the European Rugby Cup committee with Scottish Rugby Board Chairman Allan Munro; and Archie Ferguson is back as a FIRA-AER (Federation International Rugby Amateur-Association European Rugby) representative, alongside Gordon Cox, despite all three no longer holding positions on the Scottish Rugby Council.

That does highlight a shift in governance with the representatives now executive appointments and not officials elected by the SRU's club membership. Ian McLauchlan, the SRU president, believes that is the right route to take.

He stated: "These appointments will ensure a strong voice to champion the interests of Scottish rugby and extend our influence in the world game."

IRB

Bill Nolan, John Jeffrey

Six Nations Championship

Jock Millican, Malcolm Gillies

ERC

Allan Munro, Jim Fleming

Celtic League

Gordon McKie, Donald Emslie

Fira-AER

Gordon Cox, Archie Ferguson