Player exodus threatens to turn a drama into a crisis

Today, the Scotland coaching team and the national squad should be focused on learning the lessons of a 37-17 defeat to Italy, and preparing for the daunting challenges of facing a brilliant Ireland team who will come to Murrayfield in search of the Triple Crown, and a visit to Paris on the final weekend of the championship where France could be homing in on a Grand Slam. Instead of looking at ways to avoid being overwhelmed by such opposition, the camp is likely to be distracted by talk of contracts, departures and the fragile future of professional rugby in Scotland.

The build-up to Saturday's game was dominated by talk of key players Rob Dewey and Simon Taylor - among others - leaving Edinburgh to play at Ulster and Stade Francais respectively. Their expected departure has caused acrimony at almost every level, particularly in the case of Taylor.

Edinburgh will today announce new signings for next season. They will have to spring a big surprise to come up with names that are not overshadowed by the situation with Dewey and Taylor.

Meanwhile, Scotland coach Frank Hadden has to work his magic against a bitter and unwelcome backdrop of uncertainty in the professional game.

Edinburgh's management have been courting a handful of quality former internationalists. However, they face the same key problem as the SRU - a lack of cash, at least compared with the leading Magners League, English and French clubs.

The SRU is in hock to the tune of 23m, which is expected to grow again with poor autumn Test ticket sales and the hosting of an IRB sevens event this year, and is being asked to shell out more money to keep Scotland's top performers away from the advances of not only rich French and English clubs, but the Irish and Welsh now as well.

Having a debt would not be such a problem were there to be obvious avenues of income, but with the vicious circle that exists in Scottish rugby - low investment in teams, leading to poor squad depth, leading to poor results, leading to low crowds, leading to low income, so lack of cash to invest - the way out is arguably more difficult to fathom now than was the case five years ago. Add to that the low morale caused by results such as the record defeat to Italy, and it is very hard to see a way out of what could become a spiral of decline.

Gordon McKie, the SRU chief executive, needs a flood prevention deal on the back pitches to be concluded with the City of Edinburgh Council to realise a rare major injection of cash from the sale or renting of land around the stadium, but that remains in stalemate.

Internally, while both are striving to improve the standard and attraction of pro rugby, the SRU are involved in something of a cold war with Edinburgh. There are suggestions that Edinburgh may ignite the simmering stand-off between themselves and the union - over significant payments Edinburgh believe the union is withholding - by selecting all of their fit internationalists for Friday night's home game with the Ospreys.

That would light the metaphorical blue touchpaper. The last thing Scottish rugby needs right now is civil war, but it may already be too late. Passions are running high, and frustrations have become obvious. Leading players would not be leaving if they were happy with their roles, and happy with the outlook for Scottish rugby. The sport needs role models, and the three professional teams need a standard of player to make the game sustainable. Sadly, there are not enough of such players in Scotland to put on a brave face and say that the game is bigger than a few individuals.

Problems are not confined to Edinburgh. The Borders and Glasgow have tough away games at the end of the week, and their coaches would like to select their best players because victories in the Magners League remain the clearest way to drive up interest in and income from pro rugby. Hadden stressed this only two years ago, when arguing that Matt Williams was demanding too much of the international players. But now he has replaced Williams, Hadden is more appreciative of the frustrations of trying to mould a Test side in a matter of days.

Edinburgh hold a decent bargaining position while they employ so many internationalists, but if that is to drop significantly this summer, with more poised to move after the World Cup, relations at Murrayfield may reach a serious breakdown.

Where that leaves the SRU's grip on professional rugby in Scotland is open to question. Just as Hadden's next few steps are crucial, so are those of McKie.

Ironically, the series of regime changes at Murrayfield has helped keep players here. Phil Anderton and David Mackay, who took over as chief executive and chairman in 2004, proved very persuasive in assuring players that they would play a part in a bright new era in Scotland by staying.

Despite the SRU delaying contracts month after month - many Scotland stars played without signed contracts throughout 2005-6 - none quit. McKie used Andy Irvine, the new union president, to help persuade players in 2005 of the same need for commitment. 'Stick with us, make Scottish rugby work' was the message and players such as Taylor, Chris Paterson, Chris Cusiter, Scott Murray and Allister Hogg, to name a few, turned down offers from England and France, which would have doubled their salaries. But many have had enough, especially with McKie stating he does not see any bright new era on the horizon. Signing talks tend to reach conclusions around the northern hemisphere in January; Ulster gave their signing targets until last week to make a decision. The SRU have consistently left contract talks with their players until much later, infuriating many with families and mortgages to consider.

Losing one or two players is expected, but the exodus feared this year will re-ignite the debate about whether Scottish rugby can sustain professional teams. Some will again tout a move to the Irish football scenario as an alternative, drawing the national squad from pros making a living outside the country. Is that a more realistic one for pro rugby in Scotland?

One hopes not, but hope is not enough. The professional tier is the vehicle which feeds the national team, and on the evidence of Saturday, it is not working. A further weakening of the three teams is not a pleasant thought.

Try flurry stirs up painful memories

WE'VE seen this kind of mugging before at Murrayfield, but the robbery has never been performed as ruthlessly on previous occasions.

Italy's three converted tries in the first six minutes of Saturday's match set new records and stirred painful memories.

1997: SCOTLAND 19 WALES 34

In 1997, Wales came to Murrayfield looking for a first win in Edinburgh in ten years.

Ten minutes into the second half it looked like the visitors would have to wait another two years to end their run of defeats as Scotland led 16-10, until a devastating three-try burst in just five minutes sent the home side crashing to a 34-19 defeat. Neil Jenkins led the smash-and-grab with a try after 51 minutes, and only a minute after the Welshman had kicked the conversion, Kenny Logan's failure to deal with a box kick saw the diminutive stand-off Arwel Thomas scamper 45 metres to touch down at the post, Jenkins converting.

In parallel with Saturday's match, it only took moments for Scotland to gift their grateful opponents another try.

A fluffed kick-off gifted possession to the Welsh, and Lions wing Ieuan Evans steamed in for a third touchdown after 56 minutes. Jenkins converted, giving the Welsh 21 points in an extraordinary five-minute purple patch.

2005: SCOTLAND 22 WALES 46

The Welsh performed a similar feat two years ago as they completed the fourth leg of a highly impressive Grand Slam.

Roared on by a huge travelling support the confident Welsh tore the Scottish defence to shreds and notched up tries in the first 13 minutes to put the visitors 21-0 ahead. Impressive newcomer Ryan Jones, Rhys Williams and Shane Williams crossed for early tries, all converted by Stephen Jones.

But that was Wales. This time it is Italy; who have only twice failed to finish last in the Six Nations Championship and had never previously won an away match in their eight-year involvement in the tournament.

Cusiter 'hurting'

A DISTRAUGHT Chris Cusiter admitted yesterday that Saturday's horror show, in which he gifted Italy two of their three tries in a stunning first seven minutes, was the lowest point of his professional career.

The Scotland scrum-half said he felt he had let his team-mates down but expressed a determination to bounce back and make amends for his errors.

Cusiter said: "Saturday's defeat by Italy was undoubtedly the lowest point of my professional career. International rugby is a high-pressure environment and I'm feeling the full brunt of that now.

"My biggest regret is letting down my team-mates and coaches, because I know that, whatever we did after the first six minutes, we were up against it because of my mistakes.

"I am hurting massively and feel terrible for everyone involved. I don't recall ever throwing an interception pass that has led directly to a try, so to throw two on Saturday was unbelievable really.

"I would do anything to take them back and just tuck the ball under my arm and have a go instead. I have been told that rugby is just a game, but it's not really just a game to me. It's definitely more than that.

"I am always trying to work hard and improve as a player. I am determined to get back on the pitch and try to put things right.

"I don't know if that's enough for some people, but I know that I will be doing everything I can to put things right."

Meanwhile, Scotland wing Sean Lamont expects the squad will be on the receiving end of some harsh words in the coming days, but insisted Scotland can put Saturday's traumatic 37-17 defeat behind them.

The Northamton winger said: "You just have to put it out of your mind, don't you? If you dwell on a loss, you're not concentrating on the next game.

"Obviously we'll be briefed during the week, we'll probably get bollocked a bit and that's OK. We're going to have to look at ourselves and work out exactly why we made the decision we did when we were under so much pressure.

"To be fair to Italy, they did play that game, and they did capitalise on the mistakes we made."