Mike Blair subject of Worcester Warriors switch talk

EDINBURGH Rugby could face a battle to retain the services of Mike Blair after Worcester Warriors coach Mike Ruddock stopped short of a full denial that he was interested in acquiring the services of the Scotland co-captain and 59-times capped scrum-half, writes BILL LOTHIAN.

Blair is out of contract soon and has remarked in a past media interview that he would be interested in venturing outwith his home city to play before hanging up his boots.

It may be that Blair has reconsidered along the lines of the "grass isn't always greener" but, now 28 years old, he has had a recent reminder of the fragile nature of his profession when sitting out the last nine weeks due to ankle ligament damage.

During that period, speculation has mounted that the time may be approaching to switch allegiances if it is ever to happen for him and, certainly, Ruddock felt he had no option but to step in and quell the rumour factory – up to a point.

After a BBC regional channel had linked Blair with a move to Sixways to form an allegiance with fellow Scotland cap Alex Grove, one-time Wales mentor Ruddock said: "Mike Blair is a fantastic player, but we have think about how many games he would play for us."

If that was intended to calm rumours, as has been suggested, it also left the door open and Ruddock went on to spark a club/country debate about how much time stars such as Blair spend on the domestic circuit.

"It would be great to have a current internationalist joining us," said Ruddock, adding: "On the other hand, it could be a disadvantage as well, so we have to weigh those things up.

"We are always looking at what is out there, but we have to weigh up the quality of the player and how they fit in."