Six possible contenders to replace McKie in the Murrayfield hotseat

IT has been described as a poisoned chalice, in light of the ignominious exits made by the last three to hold the office of Scottish Rugby Union chief executive, namely Gordon McKie, Phil Anderton and Bill Watson.

But as well as the challenge of heading an organisation everyone in the country believes belongs to them, but with significant 'household' bills, there is much prestige to go with the position atop a sport in which Scotland has excelled for over 100 years. The best seats at all Scotland games, free travel and accommodation at World Cups and involvement at the epicenter of world rugby are among the good points.

But, what has become clear over the past 15 years of the game grappling with professionalism is that a chief executive in Scotland has to be a strong character with many strings to his bow. Or a good leader who knows the value of a good team around him and the ability to inspire them.

With Sir Moir Lockhead taking over as Scottish Rugby Board chairman on Saturday week, a leading entrepreneur with a reputation for driving improvements and innovations, the successful candidate will have enviable support at his side. Here we have put together a list of six contenders, more as a guide of the types of figures that one might expect to interest the SRU than any statement of fact on applicants. It does not pretend to be definitive: each possible candidate is from the world of rugby, and chief executives can appear from nowhere. Hardly a soul in Scottish rugby had heard of Gordon McKie when his appointment was announced.

It goes without saying that most could probably earn more and expose themselves to less public opprobrium by working elsewhere, so much depends on who has the appetite for a significant challenge.

JOHN STEELE

Player and coach who enjoyed success in both spheres with Northampton and London Scottish, and has moved impressively through the administration ranks to UK Sport as CEO and then the RFU, where impressive style marked by an acclaimed blueprint for the future of English rugby failed to keep him in the post when the RFU resumed their fawning of Sir Clive Woodward. Hunger to prove RFU wrong might raise interest in move north.

JOCK MILLICAN

Interim SRU CEO was born and brought up in Berwickshire, he studied chemical engineering and won three Scotland caps at Edinburgh University, then studied brewing at Heriot-Watt University. Was a board member for 20 years with Scottish & Newcastle in logistics and operational roles, but now runs his own business mentoring companies and directors, and providing management advice.

DAVID JORDAN

Business background in accountancy and business management, with MBA from Strathclyde University, was commercial director for a Scottish light aircraft firm, then Glasgow Warriors chief executive for seven years and Director of Celtic Rugby and Magners League/RaboDirect Pro12 tournament director for past five years, while still living in Glasgow.

DAVID JOHNSTON

The former Scotland centre who recently retired from leading Edinburgh-based law firm Burness was a Scotland coach in the 1990s but did not wish to leave his career and was sacked along with Richie Dixon after poor results. Renowned as a sharp rugby brain, innovative thinker and strong in his convictions. Was an influential figure when current governance of SRU was put in place.

JIM CALDER

Current Edinburgh chairman graduated from Heriot-Watt University, and then earned an MBA and took on a strategic leadership course at Cambridge University. Held international sales and marketing role with International Pharmaceutical giant Johnson and Johnson Inc, and sales director posts at Royal Mail and Ernst & Young before going on to set up Jim Calder Associates LLP in 2005, an executive recruitment firm based in Edinburgh. Also sat on boards of Scottish Institute of Sport, Scottish Council for Development and Industry and the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce.

JIM AITKEN

The Grand Slam-winning captain of 1984 has built up a successful grain business from his East Lothian base. Sold Scotmalt in 2003 and currently owns one of Scotland's largest grain merchants and two years ago was the Scottish Conservatives' second-largest donor with a donation of 100,000. Said yesterday that he would not dismiss the thought of applying for the vacant post, though he has confessed many times to having lost interest in rugby since he was part of a failed attempt to force the SRU leadership to back down on plans for professional districts 15 years ago.