Scottish Rugby's Roadshow rolled into the Borders this week and the message was clear - the new regime are ready to listen. One of the accusations levelled at the SRU in the past was that clubs felt they were being talked at instead of listened to, but new Chief Executive Mark Dodson made it clear that on his watch, and along with new Chairman Sir Moir Lockhead and President Ian McLauchlan, they are ready to listen to what clubs and others involved with Scottish Rugby have to say. There are tough times ahead and big decisions to be made but there's a willingness to give it a real go.You can hear an interview with Mark Dodson here where he gives his reaction to the first of several roadshows being taken around the country over the next few weeks, and sets out the SRU stall for a brighter future. Wednesday night at Selkirk was a chance for Borders representatives to have their say.

A new strategy for the game in Scotland will be compiled after the six shows to plan the future but it will be concise - it will be a straight forward slim publication which everyone can understand. Transparency at the top was the clear message - and they know they have to deliver on all counts. The problems of the past are known and the SRU want to turn things round.
There were many subjects covered, from the possible resurrection of the District Championship (which is mostly supported here but not necessarily elsewhere in the country) to issues over 10 team leagues, making the most of our 7s heritage, capping the amount of foreign players at clubs and improving players skills.  Of course there will always be differences of opinions on all matters, but talking with reps from the clubs afterwards, the overall reaction to the new SRU approach was a refreshing and very positive one.