THE SCOTSMAN REPORTS
DAVID FERGUSON
THE SCOTTISH Rugby Union faced criticism from all sides yesterday when it emerged that 13 international players have been withdrawn from their teams for tonight's final Celtic League games of the season.

Scotland play a second-string Barbarians at Murrayfield on Wednesday, in a game which provides much-needed income for the hard-up union. The SRU's executive board, guided by national coach Frank Hadden, have withdrawn the players to avoid any further injuries.

The Celtic League is precariously balanced, with Leinster, who play against Edinburgh tonight, just two points behind leaders Ulster. The Borders and Glasgow are also fighting for one remaining spot in next season's European Cup. The SRU insisted on Tuesday that it w ould not undermine the competition by withdrawing rafts of players.

It's statement read: "A significant number of [Scotland] players ... will still be made available. A small number of other Scotland players ... will be rested from their Celtic League commitments this Friday. [The SRU] is fully supportive of the Celtic League and Heineken Cup ... and recognises the importance of this Friday's games."

The team announcements yesterday revealed that "significant number" of internationals starting tonight to be only five, and the "small number" of rested players to be 13. Edinburgh's starting line-up is, in fact, missing 12 first-choice players, including nine fit internationals, injured pair Simon Taylor and Peter Jorgensen, and Dave Hewett, the All Blacks prop, who is on the bench for the Barbarians on Sunday. The contrast of tonight's back divisions is marked: Edinburgh are minus six top players, while Leinster field an entire British and Irish Lions threequarter line and Test half-backs.

The Borders are resting only Kelly Brown and Glasgow Andy Henderson, the Test centre, while four internationals - Dan Parks, Scott Lawson, Simon Webster and Dougie Hall - start their respective games on the bench tonight.

The decision has caused anger in Northern Ireland. Ulster currently lead the Celtic League by two points and must beat reigning champions Neath-Swansea Ospreys tonight to guarantee the championship. If they lose and Leinster defeat Edinburgh, Leinster will snatch the title.

Had Ulster won last week there would probably be no concern today, but the SRU is now anxious that its decision could affect relations with its Irish counterparts. The Celtic League is central to the future of professional rugby in Scotland, particularly at a time when the union is haemorrhaging cash. A new contract, which would secure a first title sponsor in Magner's Irish Cider, is still waiting to waiting to be signed by the unions and any internal squabbling could lengthen the delay. The SRU has not acted improperly as the league rules allow players to be rested in the week before internationals.

David Jordan, the Celtic League chief executive, said: "The rules at present allow all nations and teams to withdraw players ahead of international matches. Obviously we want as strong a finish as we can get, and so if a union wishes to look at this they can. One way to guarantee a strong finish might be to look again at the structure of the tournament."

There were conflicting views yesterday among Scotland players being rested, but Edinburgh players could suffer financially. If the team were to finish fourth in the Celtic League the players would collect a bonus of almost £1,500 each and if they reach third place the bonus would be doubled to close to £3,000. If Edinburgh lose to Leinster they will finish fifth, but, depending on results elsewhere, a win could lift them to third

This article was posted on 26-May-2006, 07:08 by Hugh Barrow.