2013 only papered over the cracks in Scottish rugby

Yet again, the Scots competed bravely without ever setting the world alight.

It would be easy to look back on 2013 and consider it was a pretty good year for Scottish rugby.

The national team were third in the 6 Nations. Glasgow qualified for the play-offs in the League. We had players on the winning Lions tour to Australia. The sevens team retained their status in the top echelon and we found a new coach.

But was 2013 really that great?

Third place in the 6 Nations flattered the national team. They played very well against Italy, but Ireland committed rugby suicide against the Scots and lost a game they should have won.

As ever, the Scots competed bravely in other matches, but couldn’t get the result.

It was the same on their summer tour one brave match against the Springboks, a defeat by Samoa and a victory over Italy, but it was hardly stirring stuff.

Sean Maitland, Stuart Hogg and Richie Gray were selected at the start of the Lions’ tour, with Ryan Grant only called up as a replacement.

Lions coach Warren Gatland clearly didn’t rate the Scots as he had one of them warming the bench for each of the three Tests with only Gray getting 10 minutes of game time in the Third Test once the series had been won.

It all felt rather patronising, but may be a true reflection of where Scottish players currently rate amongst their peers.

Glasgow performed well however, though neither pro team qualified for the knock out stages of the Heineken Cup. Again.

Gregor Townsend built on the foundations laid by Sean Lineen but down the M8 Edinburgh had a woeful season which ended with the coaching team being replaced.

The sevens team remained in the IRB’s premier competition but only after qualifying at the second tier event at Twickenham.

Scotland’s new coach, Vern Cotter doesn’t arrive in Scotland for a few more months which will allow Scott Johnson to move ‘upstairs’.

There are signs Scottish rugby is about to change with greater focus on player development.

It needs to if we’re to stop papering over the cracks in the Scottish game.