Rugby, Australian Football: Swindall makes a case for pro deal

GLASGOW HAWKS 40-14 HAWICK

THERE are benefits to Scotland having few professional places available. It means guys like Stevie Swindall are still free to wreak havoc and brighten club rugby matches.

The powerful flanker won his second man-of-the-match award as Hawks overcame a determined Hawick fight to pull away in the second half and maintain their momentum at the top of the league. Ricky Munday, another hugely- talented Hawks player, claimed three second-half tries, while Swindall grabbed one in each half in a performance which bolstered Hawks’ bid to retain their Division 1 crown.

Yet, there is an irony in that many in these parts believe Swindall shouldn’t be here, but instead be playing pro rugby. There was widespread surprise when he was left out of Glasgow’s 34-man Heineken Cup squad and foreign imports like Jonathan van der Schyff - in the country for only a matter of weeks before being selected - and fellow import Shawn Renwick thrust in. An experienced flanker, Renwick at least has been proving his mettle at Bridgehaugh, but very little is known about Currie’s Van der Schyff, while Swindall is arguably one of the most promising ball-carrying, home-bred players in Scotland.