Rugby: Time to think about weather summer rugby would boost the club game

STEWART'S-MELVILLE coach Graeme Moffat believes a winter shutdown would prove positive for the club game in Scotland and he is convinced that it would also bring benefits at a higher level.

With the league card wiped out, Moffat's men will join the rest of the country's amateur players on the sidelines this weekend. But he takes the view that the frustration of seeing games cancelled could be avoided by learning lessons from elsewhere.

"I think summer rugby should be considered," he said.

And, drawing on his personal experience after spells with the American outfit Vail and Red Deer Titans in Canada, he added "It works over there.

"It is certainly better than training and playing in freezing temperatures. It adds to the entertainment and makes the whole thing a more positive experience."

Then, pointing to the benefits that would accrue at all levels of the game from performing in better conditions, he stated: "Playing right through the winter is not conducive to getting people involved in the game and I think that summer rugby would also be positive for skill development."

While acknowledging that a move away from the roots of the game in this country would create other difficulties such as encroaching on other summer activities, Moffat feels that a switch is worth considering.

"I'm not sure exactly how the season might look, but you could do something like starting in August, playing until November then closing down for December, January and February before finishing off in May," he said.

"That would interfere with other things like the sevens and I know it goes against tradition but sometimes change is not a bad thing. I certainly think we need to look at something."

However, while the debate over how to avoid fixture pile-ups will no doubt continue, Moffat has more pressing issues on his mind.

With his side currently languishing at the foot of the Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership Division One table, the immediate task in hand is to start collecting league points.

In that respect, the coach has been impressed by the commitment of his players during the current cold snap.

He said: "We have been fortunate that our school connections mean we have been able to train inside at Stewart's-Melville and Mary Erskine.

"It's a change of environment, a change of scenery and a change of training and that all helps to keep things fresh. It's the same for every club at the moment and it's a challenge to coaches. But the great thing for me is that the players have shown they are still hungry.

"The mood is good. We had 35 players at training this week. The boys are sticking at it."

And, with this weekend's trip to meet Selkirk a victim of the weather, Moffat is looking ahead to a scheduled return to action at home to West of Scotland next Saturday. He is urging his men to cast off the cautious approach that has proved expensive in the campaign to date.

"We have been a bit too conservative", he conceded.

"Last year, it was try bonuses that got us promoted. This season it has been different and we haven't taken the bonus points when we have had chances. I would say that's probably down to a lack of confidence.

"We need to have more belief and we have to have the ambition to go out and play. My message to the players is that they need to take a few risks and be ambitious.

"It's been a tough year for us but we have been getting closer to getting results. We now need to pick up a few wins and to finish the season on as high a note as we can."

With that objective in mind, Moffat has received a timely boost with the availability after injury of club captain Alex Edmonstone and has been delighted by the return of a familiar face.

"We are fortunate that Lewis Calder is back at the club", he explained. "He has been released by Exeter and will be with us for the remainder of the season."

Moffat is in no doubt that Calder, who featured for the Inverleith men when they secured a step up to the top flight last season, brings more than just an imposing on-field presence.

"As a former captain of the Scotland Under-20s he has obvious leadership qualities and that's something we need. It's good to have him back. He has aspirations to go further in the game and he can play a big part for us. He is only 21 and he has a big future and I'm sure he will be good for us.

"But it's not just on the pitch. He is a good guy off it as well."