Super 6 returns doesn't sit well with Highland coach Dave Carson
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Highland head coach Dave Carson is wary of the impact returning Super 6 players could have on National One this season – saying it “doesn’t sit well” with him.
After back-to-back victories, Highland head for Stirling tomorrow afternoon. Stirling are one of the teams in the Super 6, a league above the Premiership created to help bridge the gap between club rugby and the professional game.
However, when it formed the understanding was that crossover between Super 6 and clubs’ amateur squads would be minimal, and that has not proven to be the case.
Last season, some clubs greatly benefited from the return of players who had been at the higher level.
With the 2022 campaign coming to an end this week, then, there is a chance the same could happen again.
Carson is not a fan of the practice, but says if Highland have to face a stronger Stirling County side tomorrow then they will deal with the challenge head on.
“Seemingly Super 6 players are allowed to come back into the amateur side if they’re not going to play Super 6 again.
“We didn’t think that was ever going to happen in the same season, but it has.
“I don’t agree with it at all. You can’t have that much of a swing by bringing these guys back halfway through a season – I don’t think that’s right on the teams that don’t have Super 6 sides.
“They made their choice by going to the Super 6, so if they’re not playing Super 6 I think they should come back into the amateur side the following season too. It just doesn’t sit right with me.
“We want everyone to be playing rugby, but the SRU have made the league totally different to the normal league, so these guys can jump from level to level.
“I’m quite happy to play against any of these guys, but I feel they should be in it for the long haul and not just half a season. If it happens (at Stirling) we’ll just have to deal with it. We are good enough to take them on.”
