March 17, 2005

Some good news on contract front

Posted by Editor on March 17, 2005 08:27 AM | 8 comments | Print | E-mail author

Rory Lamont looks set to stay with Glasgow
Five of Glasgow's international players look set to renew their contracts with the team as the task of rebuilding the squad gains momentum.

Glasgow fans have been concerned at the lack of information about next season's squad with over two-thirds of the players out of contract.

The five include Rory Lamont, who made a try-scoring Test debut and was one of the few Scots to impress against Wales on Sunday. Rory's brother Sean is one of a number of Glasgow's high profile players expected to leave at the end of the season.

Rory is one of a posse of players in the stable of agent and former Glasgow player, Shaun Longstaff, who won 15 Scotland caps between 1998 and 2000 but now runs his players' agency from Ireland. "Almost to a man my players are keen on staying," said Longstaff in today's Herald.

He expects all 10 of his men currently on the Glasgow books to sign up as soon as details of the new bonus system are worked out.

These include Andy Henderson, who returned to the international scene as a replacement on Sunday; Graeme Morrison, his fellow Test centre; Graeme Beveridge, the scrum half who was recalled to the squad this week; and Kevin Tkachuk, the Canadian international prop, as well as uncapped quintet Calvin Howarth, Paul Dearlove, Scott Lawson, Ben Prescott and Colin Shaw.

"There were a lot of worries until a few weeks ago, when there was uncertainty over the future of pro rugby in Scotland, but the way in which the coaches at all three Scottish teams responded once the SRU did give the assurance that they would be supporting them for the next three years was very impressive.

"It is my job to ensure that the players have the widest range of options but I'm delighted, because my heart is with Scottish rugby and I believe it is in the best interests of the younger ones in particular to be based at home."

Comments
Posted by Phall on March 17, 2005 09:01 AM | Reply to this comment

At last something positive.

Posted by Moody Blue on March 17, 2005 09:45 AM | Reply to this comment

Lots of negativity about on the forum, but there may be a reasonable squad around next year yet...Colin Shaw; Rory L, Andy C, Andy H, A N Other Signing; Calvin H, Graeme B; T Bone, Scott Lawson, Euan the Vet, Dan T, Craig Hamilton, Paul Dearlove, Xavier Rush, Andrew Wilson. with back up from Morrison, MacLure, Barrow,Colin Gregor, Prescott, Fergus Thomson, Andy Hall, John Beattie...throw in some promising youngsters as support like Stevie Manning, Ian Kennedy, A J MacFarlane, Stuart Corsar, Steve Swindall, John Barclay and James Eddie...it's a squad at least!!

Posted by Highlandbrave75 on March 17, 2005 02:11 PM | Reply to this comment

Bear in mind that a few of the guys mentioned were already in a contract.

Ben Prescott signed three of four weeks ago remember, Kevin already had a contract in place as did Graeme Morrison. There's also the fact that the majority of apprentice cotracts, younger guys, haven't been offered anything.

A little piece of spin in the story to bolster the fans?

Posted by pink*panther on March 17, 2005 10:35 AM | Reply to this comment

Great News!!!!

Posted by Alan on March 17, 2005 11:48 PM | Reply to this comment

Agents have a lot to answer for here, not just the SRU

Posted by Highlandbrave75 on March 18, 2005 12:20 AM | Reply to this comment

Not really. The SRU contracts policy is a sham and has been since this pro setup began. I've said this on many an occasion not just lately.

When players agents can't get to sit and talk contract talk face to face with the SRU reps you know something's wrong.

Sorry to disagree but the SRU reps are entirely to blame for the whole contracts fiasco.

They are the one's who haven't spoken to the players agents for so long.

Posted by Phall on March 18, 2005 08:15 AM | Reply to this comment

Nonsense. In the absence of a Player's Association, the Agents are the only ones looking after the players interests. Certainly the Union aren't, otherwise they wouldn't have come up with the derisable "apprentice" contracts.

Posted by Highlandbrave75 on March 18, 2005 03:56 PM | Reply to this comment

Fully agree. The apprentice contracts given out by the SRU were attrocious. The rates and the length of deals were shocking.

The agents have done thei best throughout the whole situation but as I said, without much input back from the SRU what can they do?

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