SRU chief executive Mark Dodson has revealed plans for Scotland to secure a Six Nations Grand Slam by 2016 and also win the World Cup.
SRU chief executive targets victory in Six Nations and World Cup
Scottish Rugby Union chief executive Mark Dodson has revealed an ambitious plan for the national side to secure an RBS Six Nations Grand Slam by 2016 and also win the World Cup.
Dodson, who addressed his first AGM on Saturday, also announced a four-year plan to put club sides Glasgow and Edinburgh among the best teams in Europe.
Scotland lost every game of this year's Six Nations but turned the tables with a perfect record in their summer tour with victories over Australia, Samoa and Fiji.
Dodson said: "The goals we've set reflect our ambition for the game in Scotland.
"With unity, and support from the whole nation, there is no reason we can't achieve those goals. We are making real progress in revitalising the game of rugby in Scotland."
Edinburgh reached the Heineken Cup semi-finals while Glasgow made the RaboDirect Pro12 play-offs and Dodson believes the performances of the two clubs are key to the Scottish game's future.
"Since I joined Scottish Rugby I've said I want to place much greater focus on making the pro clubs as successful as we can," he said.
Grassroots
"By better aligning our professional sides with clubs sides around the country we will be able to support and nurture the grassroots and the top tier of the game.
"I firmly believe that by doing that, we will create a virtuous circle, which benefits every club and player in the country.
"We want to capitalise on the good seasons enjoyed at the Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby and challenge them to go even further in this coming season.
"More successful pro clubs means more interest in the sport and more money coming into the game. That filters back down to the clubs and schools at the grassroots.
"They can then encourage and nurture the next generation of talent, the next generation who aspire to lead out their team or even the national side to success."
Dodson reported a surplus of £1.6million with turnover increasing by £3.1million.
Additional hospitality, event and income from the professional clubs along with World Cup money contributed to this and offset lower revenues from ticketing and broadcasting in a season in which Scotland had only two home Six Nations games.
