Froud blasts new SRU support plea
LOCAL rugby clubs are being urged not to play their fixtures at the same time as international games, writes Fiona Scott.
Poor attendance at last weekend's Scotland v Romania game has prompted Scottish Rugby to address the clash between international and club fixtures.
With the backing of SRU chief executive Gordon McKie, they are now putting the onus on clubs to do something about it.
McKie said: "Scottish Rugby doesn't decide the date of club fixtures, the clubs decide for themselves.
"We asked for some common sense when confirming our Autumn Test fixture dates and times, but sadly got a disappointing response to our request that clubs should reschedule their fixtures around the weekend of the games against Romania and the Pacific Islanders. However, I am encouraged the Competitions Commission is again addressing these issues.
"Let's hope the positive signs of greater cooperation for next season continue and that our all-important relationship with our clubs can continue to make progress in the right direction for future years."
Speaking to TheSouthern this week, however, Hawick president Terence Froud insisted that postponing his side's Premiership One fixture against Ayr last weekend would have made no difference whatsoever to the crowds at Murrayfield.
He told us: "As far as Hawick are concerned, the supporters who travelled to Ayr were never interested in going to the Romania game. Stopping clubs playing on these dates will make no difference whatsoever as people will only go to an international if they want to, regardless of whether their club is playing or not.
"Recently, we have been asked to support the pro-side and now the national team, as well as play in a 12-team league, cup competition, and Border League next season. It would be very nice to know how Mr McKie expects us to do that. Has he got a formula?"
This Saturday, when Scotland take on the players from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, there is another full club fixture list. However, there are no club matches scheduled for Scotland's clash with Australia on November 25, nor any of the three RBS 6 Nations home internationals against Wales, Italy or Ireland in 2007.
The Competitions Commission, which addresses rules, competition structures, and the shape of the season, held its second meeting this week and began its consideration of the season structure for 2007-08, including how best to avoid future fixtures clashes.
This weekend, Melrose and Hawick are both on the road when they travel to play Glasgow Hawks and Watsonians respectively. In Division Two, Selkirk and Jed-Forest are at home to GHA and Hamilton, while Kelso and Gala travel to play Stewart's Melville FP and Cartha Queen's Park.
Peebles take on Murrayfield Wanderers at The Gytes.
Border Reivers are without a fixture for the next two weeks, but are already gearing up for their next big clash against Edinburgh on Friday, December 1.
A supporters' bus for the game, which will be played at Murrayfield, will leave Hawick at 5pm. To book a seat, email [email protected] or call 01896 755008 (eve).

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This article was posted on 17-Nov-2006, 08:06 by Hugh Barrow.