The Scottish Rugby Union's ability to develop and hold on to young talent is now firmly under the microscope with news that promising youngsters Alex Blair and Fraser Brown have had their contracts terminated at Edinburgh and centre Mark Bennett is heading to France. The Scotsman's David Ferguson reports.
"Fears have spread this season over the number of internationalists leaving the Scottish game, often with the SRU's backing as they seek to work within a tight budget. However, now concerns are rising that Scotland is losing valuable talent at both ends of the spectrum.
"Bennett, the Ayr centre who has just turned 18 and made a try-scoring Scotland under-20 debut this season, had embarked on the academy route with Glasgow, but has opted instead to turn down a senior contract and join Clermont Auvergne's academy.
"Blair, the 20-year-old brother of Mike and David and a Scotland 'A' cap last summer, has been out of action due to a back injury and is one of several players the SRU are dropping from existing contracts by invoking a six-month injury clause.
"Promising hooker Brown is another. The former Scotland U20 skipper is being released and left to find a new club next month, having failed to make his debut after a similar step-up from the academy last summer due to a neck injury. The 21-year-old is expected to be fully fit next month and Blair by August.
"Both were among Scotland's leading lights at age-grade levels, but, like most players emerging from Scottish schools and youth rugby, they had much work ahead physically and mentally to bridge the gap to the pro game."
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