AFTER a number of the problems, arguments and issues involved with the new Super 6 competition were exposed at the Scottish Rugby Union's annual general meeting, they have turned to a safe pair of hands to help bring the project about.
Sean Lineen has a considerable reputation on both sides of the professional-amateur divide, having coached Boroughmuir before turning professional where he gets most of the credit for giving Glasgow Warriors the winning mentality they have today.
He takes over the on-field development of the Super 6, the competition meant to bridge the gap between the amateur level and the full-time professionals, as part of his current job as head of the Academy structure.
“There’s a lot of good, hard-working, passionate rugby people in Scotland," he said. "Ultimately, we all want the same thing – to improve the standard of domestic competition and shorten the gap between it and the elite level of the game. This role is about making sure I can be a link in that process from a rugby perspective.
“I’m excited to work with the players and coaches on selection, recruitment and facilities to help make sure we have a league that people want to be a part of."
The tournament should start next year but there are a number of details still to be ironed out. At the recent AGM, there was no clear agreement on issues such as where the amateur sides associated with the Super 6 clubs should play. That was one of a number of topics sent off for consultation and review – raising the possibility of a special meeting later this year to get a final decision.
"There needs to be continuity in player development,” Lineen added. “There are good players and coaches in the club game but it [the current top tier] needs to go to another level in terms of having very ambitious coaches, facilities and staff in place so, when players come in to the environment, they develop."
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