Scots consider English pro team

Scottish pro teams have failed to attract large crowds
Scottish Rugby is contemplating setting up a team in England as it undertakes a strategic review of all aspects of its professional teams.
Reports claim the SRU will push for a new London-based team to play in the Magners League.

A statement from the SRU read: "We recognise that professional rugby in Scotland is still struggling.

"Considering the merits of having a pro team based in England is not new and is something worthy of exploring."

Scottish Rugby is more than £20m in debt and Glasgow, Edinburgh and the Border Reivers struggle to attract crowds to match their counterparts in Ireland and Wales.

"The board believes it has a duty to its stakeholders to radically examine all aspects of the professional game," continued the statement.

"The review is examining levels of investment, squad sizes, relationships with and participation in the Heineken Cup and Magners League, third-party investors, pro-team numbers and locations, training and playing facilities and academies.

"The board believes it has a duty to carry out such a review of an essential part of its business and indeed stated last year, when the Edinburgh pro team was sold, that there would be further examinations of the pro team game.

"As with many sports businesses, a rigorous appraisal of the sport's key delivery channels is essential. The review will be concluded before the end of this season."

This article was posted on 18-Feb-2007, 19:00 by Hugh Barrow.