Venter exit debate, rating Edinburgh's season & Jordan for late Lions call?

BBC News

2 days ago

BBC Sport Scotland's Andy Burke has been answering some of your Scottish rugby questions.Ronald asked: I understand the need for more Scottish players at Glasgow but surely they still have to be competitive? I think letting a good player like Henco Venter leave is a poor decision.Andy answered: First off, I agree. Venter's performance against Stormers only served to underline that letting him go is a big mistake.The SRU are not best pleased at Venter's portrayal in the media this week that he was told he was surplus to requirements because of a new cap on foreign imports.They insist Venter was in line to be offered a new deal, but not before the top players, such as Sione Tuipulotu, had been tied down, and that Brive swooped in with a lucrative offer before Glasgow had a chance to.Who knows the precise timeline of events, but to the overarching point, the focus on promoting Scottish talent over foreign imports is a step in the right direction.Rather than a cap on number of imports, deals for foreign players will have to meet a higher bar to be signed off. Most Glasgow fans would argue Venter has more than met the criteria with his performances in a Warriors shirt.Ian asked: Marks out of 10, how did Edinburgh do this season? The performances over the last few weeks with a top-eight finish surely knocked the score up a notch or two?Andy answered: I'm giving Edinburgh a 7/10, Ian.That was looking like a 3 or a 4 a few short weeks ago, but when assessing a whole campaign the main criteria has to be where the team ended up. A URC quarter-final and a European semi-final probably exceeds where most expected Edinburgh to be this season.Of course it could, and at points of the season definitely should, have been better, but the team has shown enough these past couple of months to suggest they're on the right track.I think Sean Everitt has earned the right to go again next season. I know some Edinburgh fans still remain to be convinced.Stuart asked: If injuries happen to any of the Lions do you expect any Scotland players to be called in as their replacements?Andy answered: Tom Jordan. The man is playing some outstanding rugby. He looks bang in form and covers a multitude of positions.If any 10,12, 13 or 15 goes down in the coming weeks, I'd like to think Jordan will be right there in Andy Farrell's thoughts to hop on a plane Down Under.