David Jordan, the chief executive of Glasgow district, has confirmed that the new Glasgow/Caledonia team will be playing many of their selected big games next year in football stadia, and that will include one at a city venue.

I understand that will be at Partick Thistle's Firhill, although word is that Clyde's Broadwood at Cumbernauld may be another option.

More interesting is the fact that players who wish to sign for the SRU had until the end of May to do so, and not all of the players who have been asked to sign for Glasgow/Caledonia have replied.

Last year, Glasgow showed more than a little invention by attracting healthy crowds to Scotstoun, which has a superb playing surface, but distant and low-lying stands.

And the stadium, part of a city council which tried so hard for rugby, appears to have been abandoned for all but the sound of studs rucking in training rather than in anger.

''The venues for the games are still under discussion,'' said chief executive Jordan. ''We have been looking at football stadia. Scotstoun has a limited capacity, but it will continue to be used for training, and we have to go to venues which can accommodate the size of crowds we are hoping to bring to games.

''Certainly for the likes of the game against South Africa, we are hoping to attract in the order of 8000 to 9000.''

Much has been made of the figure which seemed to creep out of one of the press conferences when a crowd of 15,000 was mentioned for big district games.

But leaving that behind, some in Glasgow have mentioned their scepticism at Glasgow/Caledonia wanting to play some of their games at football grounds. If soccer won't come to Murrayfield, then why should rugby help swell the coffers of football? Interestingly, Jordan was able to tell us that the fixture list for Glasgow/Caledonia - crikey that's a hard thing to write all the time - is a healthy one indeed next season.

Shout it from the rooftops, but in consecutive weeks in November, they tackle South Africa, have their heads kicked in by New Zealand Maoris, and then face up to Canterbury Crusaders, who have just won the Super 12s. Not an easy few days.

''There is a sense of expectancy before the games for next year,'' said Jordan. ''Obviously there is some doubt and confusion over the European fixtures and whether there will or will not be English teams involved. But we know that we are going to be playing six European games before November, as well as the Reivers, and prior to Europe we will be taking on two Welsh clubs and some Irish provinces. We expect the standard to be high.''

The bigger picture in all this is completely confusing, and if this whole amalgamation of districts has one major drawback then it's the nebulous nature of what is meant to be the platform for our players to prepare for international duty.

What is the identity of the new Super team? The rugby folk in the SRU, like John Jeffrey and Jim Telfer, thought it was a nonsense, and the workers in both districts had their power bases eroded severely. Players also lost jobs.

But even a cynic must realise that games against South Africa, the Maoris, and Canterbury, are hugely attractive propositions. Attractive, but GHK of old brought a great big crown to Old Anniesland - three times if I'm right - for games with New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia, and so there's a fair bit of hostility to the idea that rugby punters must treck to a football ground. Mind you, there will be no turning back.

What of the mechanics, though, of the amalgamation, or consolidation of districts? ''There's no doubt that the merger has harnessed the playing strength of both districts,'' says Jordan. ''We will have a stronger squad, there will be more competition for places, and with fitness such a key component, there will be better fitness of players.

The whole idea is to make them better players for the Scotland set up. This year there will be a three-day training camp at Stirling University starting on July 27, and the squads are mostly picked. Yes, not all of the players have replied to our offer of contracts, but I don't monitor the situation daily and I couldn't tell you who has or hasn't replied yet.''

Which may, or may not, be important. All you have to do, though, is realise that Jim McLaren, who was offered an SRU contract, has chosen to play in France instead, as has Mark McKenzie, who wasn't offered one. There are big games, but complicated times, ahead for Glasgow/Caledonia.