YOU would never mistake Vern Cotter for a stand-up comedian, but the Scotland coach was certainly in a good humour when he announced his squad for next month’s three internationals against Australia, Argentina and Georgia. He even began yesterday’s press conference with a little joke - something that would have been unthinkable for much of his reign.

Cotter was asked about WP Nel, the stereotypically squat and muscular Edinburgh prop who has been omitted from the squad because of a recurring problem. “WP has had a niggling neck injury for a period of time,” he replied, before continuing deadpan: “Which was a surprise to us - we didn’t think he had a neck.”

All right, it didn’t quite have us rolling in the aisles, but it was the first indication that Cotter was in a more relaxed and expansive mood than usual. Everything is relative, of course, and the familiar grim countenance may be back by the eve of the Wallabies match. But perhaps the coach’s quip and general demeanour were signs that, as he enters his final season at the helm of the national side before decamping to France, he will be under less pressure, and will find the time to enjoy his work a little bit more - and to communicate that enjoyment to the outside world.

Professional rugby is a serious business, of course, and any coach who was more interested in practising one-liners than in lineout drills would soon be shunned by his players then sent packing by his employers. But it is part of the entertainment business, too, and an approach which is too regimented and po-faced can become counter-productive.

And the thing is, you can combine a serious, highly disciplined approach to your work with a determination to continue to enjoy the lighter side of the game. The perfect example is Eddie Jones, a man whose press conferences can be by turns hilarious and thought-provoking, but who also has a reputation for an unrelenting work ethic.

At last year’s Rugby World Cup, while in charge of Japan, Jones insisted that Scotland would tire in the second half against his team, who were coming into the pool match against Cotter’s team with minimal rest after their historic win over South Africa. It was an implausible assertion, and the Australian’s smile as he made it and other similarly light-hearted remarks perhaps hinted that it was not really his considered assessment. But by the time his press conference had ended, his players were probably feeling that little bit more confident about their chances, and substantial numbers of neutrals would have been enthused by the coach’s remarks and learned to enjoy rugby a little bit more.

It is not in Cotter’s nature to natter on the way Jones does, but it will be interesting to see the effect on his squad if he is that little bit more relaxed over the coming months. It’s a delicate balance, of course, but we have already seen at Edinburgh how a little change in the collective mood of a camp can have a positive impact.

Duncan Hodge, like Cotter, is not given to effusive outbursts, and is far happier talking about the game than about himself. But you don’t need a showbiz personality to inspire your squad into playing with far more exuberance, as Edinburgh have done since Hodge took over from Alan Solomons.

Scotland internationals such as Finn Russell and Stuart Hogg already play with that exuberance, and Cotter always seems to have backed them to express themselves on the pitch. Perhaps a lighter mood will allow other, less naturally ebullient members of the national squad to emulate their team-mates in that respect.

And another thing . . . .

If you had, say, the odd £30million to spare, would you want to invest it in Glasgow Warriors or Edinburgh Rugby. Perhaps, if you happened to be a fan of either team and had just won the lottery, you would be inclined to throw them a large sum, but what about if you happened to be the chief executive of a multinational concern? A company, that is, which actually wanted an eventual return on its investment.

In all honesty it is hard to see too many chief executives of any stature being minded to do so. But Mark Dodson, the Scottish Rugby Union’s chief executive, is adamant that they are out there - and if the vote at Friday’s special general meeting proposing the sale of chunks of Glasgow and Edinburgh goes in his favour, he will soon go out looking for them.

Every club will have a chance to vote at the meeting, although some may not bother to turn up and others will be understandably sceptical. But they should turn up, and they should vote in favour, no matter their doubts.

Deciding that something can’t be done is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Deciding that Dodson deserves the chance to try is a far more positive course of action. If he fails, well, no harm done. But if he succeeds, clubs will be able to hold him to his promise of further investment in the domestic game, and everyone could be a winner.