EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS REPORTS;

Watsonians' survival bid dealt blow

BILL LOTHIAN


SRU bosses are refusing to step in and order Watsonians’ vital BT Premiership clash at Heriot’s on April 16 to be switched - despite concerns the Myresiders survival prospects could be hit by four players being called up to Scotland’s sevens squad.

And the insensitivity of the blazers to events surrounding relegation threatened ’Sonians’ forthcoming derby is threatening to further heighten already tense relations with top clubs.

Watsonian coach Paul Di Rollo revealed: "As things stand we are due to visit Heriot’s without Neil Cochrane, Colin Gregor, Jamie Blackwood and Andy Turnbull who are on duty with the Scotland sevens squad just announced for an IRB tournament in Singapore.

"If we are not allowed to switch a match we may need to win to maintain top league status then we might as well consider importing all our players.

"What would be the point of trying to produce players for Scotland if all that happens is the SRU say ‘thanks - now just go and get yourselves relegated’."

An SRU spokesman said: "We have not had a formal application from both clubs concerning playing this game on the Wednesday after Singapore sevens. We await the formal application which will be considered at that time."

NOTE FROM ED
THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT THE SRU DO NOT SEEM TO UNDERSTAND

This article was originally posted on 5-Apr-2005, 11:27 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 5-Apr-2005, 14:14.