Scrumming down for Scotland

Look, First Minister, are you sure about this? It would be what Sir Humphrey called a brave decision. I mean, these guys don't mess around - this would be cut-throat stuff.

No-one would blame you if you wanted to stick with the usual political issues. Local income tax, the West Lothian Question, the Barnett formula - those are a doddle compared to this dispute.

And you'll get no political thanks. These guys only ever vote Tory. And it's not as if, even if you pulled it off, there would be more than an occasional victory over Italy (on a good day).

Well, if you insist, First Minister ...

The Scotcman reports:

ALEX Salmond is willing to offer the services of the Scottish Executive to help sort out the crisis in Scottish rugby, it emerged last night.
The First Minister's offer came as the Scottish Rugby Union announced it was prepared to enter into limited negotiations with Edinburgh Rugby in an attempt to end the stalemate that has crippled the professional sport in Scotland.
A spokesman for Mr Salmond said the First Minister was willing, in principle, to help in any way he could if approached by the SRU.