Rugby: Chalmers makes call for end-of-season play-offs at club level

Currently coaching Melrose and closely in touch with the domestic scene, Chalmers also wants to reduce the premiership from 12 to ten teams while calling for the re-introduction of the amateur district championship and the Borders professional team.

Chalmers' calls come in the latest edition of Rugby World when invited to put forward suggestions for improving the Scottish scene – and the 41-year-old doesn't waste the opportunity, insisting: "Scotland's average attendance for their three Autumn Tests was less than 32,000 despite making real strides under new coach Andy Robinson.

"(To grow) we must invest to widen both the playing and fan base." In setting out his stall Chalmers prioritises the premiership. saying: "Reduce (it] from 12 teams to ten thereby condensing the quality and freeing up four weekends. There are six Edinburgh clubs in the top flight."

Among the uses to which Chalmers would put the four weekends would be for a district championship which would give aspirational players something to aim at on the way to a possible clubs' international cap as well as providing a stepping stone to the pro ranks.

"South of Scotland, Edinburgh, Glasgow and North/Midlands could play in December," he said.