At the conclusion of another schools rugby season it was George Watson's College who took the honours after winning the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools under-18 Cup for a third successive year and then going on to achieve an unprecedented hat-trick of titles in the top sevens tournaments this spring.

Watson's are one of a small group of schools along with Strathallan, Merchiston, Edinburgh Academy and Stewart's-Melville College - and, to an extent, St Aloysius College - who have effectively become elite rugby academies within Scotland and who, as a result, are enjoying spectacular success.

One look at what is far from a top-secret Watson's website reveals that their first XV players train during lunch breaks and after school following carefully planned skills development and strength and conditioning programmes - a tougher regime than for some senior players.

The common factor is the creation of a director of rugby post, currently occupied by Ally Donaldson at Watson's, Andy Henderson at Strathallan, Rob Moffat at Merchiston, Mark Appleson at Edinburgh Academy and Mark McKenzie at St Aloysius College to name but four. Some would argue, too, that the ability to offer scholarships, gives certain independents an unfair advantage.

Next season Watson's, Stewart's-Melville, Strathallan, Dollar, Edinburgh Academy and Merchiston will play in what is being dubbed a 'conference', the idea being that regular intense competition between elite schools will raise standards. Conferences to cater for all levels are also being created to ensure appropriate levels of competition and to avoid dangerous and discouraging mismatches.

That seems all very well but for many this might be seen as the silver spoon turning to gold. The advantaged getting even more. What, it may be asked, is being done for the 95.4 per cent of youngsters who attend state schools?

To their credit Scottish Rugby are addressing the problem by trying to increase their Schools of Rugby programme but even the most enthusiastic proponent of this scheme would admit that it will be a battle against a steep gradient.

Establishing rugby (or indeed any sport) in state schools depends on having a dedicated member of staff, and a head teacher, who will buy into rugby. Does he or she see sport as something that is good for the well-being of the school and a contributor to better exam results? Or is it just an expensive nuisance that uses up time and resources?

Almost on a daily basis there are research findings informing us about frightening obesity and low fitness levels in young adults and moreover there are studies which repeatedly correlate participation in sport with academic attainment. Yet the obvious conclusion is seldom made and, worse, rarely implemented.

Ultimately, given the massive work overload most teachers experience these days, and the consequent near-impossibility of Saturday morning sport, rugby will only be part of school life if there is a serious intent to make it happen. And that means the Scottish Government taking more than a passing interest in school sport and making sure active sport is encouraged.

If not, then the startling statistics from the London Olympics, which revealed that more than 60 per cent of the GB medallists were privately educated, are unlikely to be reversed and rugby, in particular, could find it hard to shake off its 'posh' image.