One of the advantages of having the national rugby union in control of its clubs was highlighted by today’s announcement by the Scottish Rugby Union of the loan of Edinburgh tight head prop Geoff Cross to Glasgow Warriors for the rest of the season due to injuries to two of Glasgow’s props.
Glasgow Warriors are currently in fifth position on the RaboDirect PRO12 log, 3 points behind the forth placed Ospreys, with two games in hand over the teams above them. This loan arrangement indicates that Glasgow reaching the knockout stages of the PRO12 must be considered priority by the Scottish Rugby Union, and as such they and Edinburgh Rugby need to be applauded for this decision.
The loan of Cross arguably weakens Edinburgh and while they may not have a realistic chance of making the PRO12 play-offs they will still be aiming to finish as high as they can in the league. Their final position is rather important this year as news about the new proposed European competitions suggest that only the top 6 or 7 teams in the PRO12 will get into the top tier European competition next season, the equivalent of the Heineken Cup. Should Edinburgh not achieve this they would probably then have to play in the second tier, the equivalent of this season’s Amlin Challenge and one can only assume would receive less money for their participation.
Here is the announcement of the loan deal courtesy of the Scottish Rugby Union:
Edinburgh Rugby have agreed to loan prop Geoff Cross to Glasgow Warriors until the end of the season following injuries to tighthead props Mike Cusack and Ed Kalman.
The injuries leave the Warriors – who are currently one place outside a top-four playoff finish – shorthanded in a crucial position.
Edinburgh Rugby head coach Alan Solomons explained that the decision coincides with, but is unrelated to, the confirmation that Cross will leave the club at the end of the season.
He said: “There comes a time in a player’s career, especially when you’ve been at a club for a long period, that you realise you could benefit from something fresh and new, and Geoff [Cross] has secured such an opportunity at a new club. He has been a great servant of Edinburgh Rugby for a number of years and we wish him all the very best.”
Speaking on the loan move, Solomons added: “Glasgow are in a situation where they have only two fit tighthead props (Moray Low and Jon Welsh).
“They approached us for senior cover in what is an extremely important position, and requested Geoff Cross on loan.
“We agreed to assist them and, in view of the fact that the cut off registration date was midnight last night (Tuesday), we agreed to assist them with emergency, senior cover with immediate effect.”
Geoff Cross
Born in Edinburgh and raised in Galashiels, Cross first wore the black and red in an intercity clash against Glasgow at Hughenden in December 2006 and has gone on to make 130 appearances for the club and earn 28 Scotland caps during an eight-year spell.
He said: “I’ve been an Edinburgh player for a long time now. I’ve made some good friends and shared in some special moments on the pitch. After eight years and aged 31, I think the time is right to seek a change and a new challenge.”
“I’m very excited by this next chapter of my career.”
Edinburgh act to back fill
With Cross out on loan, promising young Scot, Ewan McQuillin, has been promoted from the club’s development programme into the squad for this Friday’s clash with Ulster (kick-off 7.45pm).
The club have also negotiated the early arrival of recently signed prop Simon Berghan from the New Zealand Rugby Union, meaning the player will check in next month instead of next season as originally planned.