SRU move to quell fears over Celtic League

BILL LOTHIAN


SCOTTISH Rugby bosses were today defiantly maintaining that a competition would remain in place for district teams next season - despite growing fears that Welsh clubs could leave the Celtic League.

The Evening News unders- tands that proposals for the Welsh to defect to a new cup competition involving English clubs have received strong backing from terrestrial television, leaving Scottish and Irish rivals in limbo. Adding to Scottish and Irish concerns is the fact Italian clubs have just turned down the chance to fill any vacancies left by the four Welsh combines following meetings at the weekend, although an SRU spokesman insisted that could change.

The Celtic League are debating the issues today although an SRU spokesman volunteered: "This is NOT a crisis meeting."

The spokesman claimed it would be business as usual for Celtic League teams in 2005-06 with Italian sides hovering on the fringes.

He said: "Scottish representatives Fred McLeod and Keith Grainger are in London meeting fellow Celtic League delegates, looking to achieve as many home games as can be arranged to maximise revenue available to the Pro Teams."

Suggestions of a Welsh defection were stonewalled amidst claims from Murrayfield that the position remained uncertain.

The spokesman said: "We have heard both scenarios about the Welsh. The Italians could be on board from 2006-07."

However, sources today insisted that the BBC were driving through changes that would have a profound effect on the future direction of Scottish and Irish rugby.

It is being claimed that Principality clubs will receive £250,000 each for participating in an Anglo/Welsh competition partly designed to fill a rugby vacuum on the flagship Saturday afternoon sports programme "Grandstand".

A television insider said: "If the BBC get their way over the Anglo/Welsh Cup arrangement then Scotland and Ireland will be out in the cold and the sponsor who is being lined up to underwrite the Celtic League will walk away."

When contacted, the BBC said they would investigate the reports.

This article was posted on 31-May-2005, 17:22 by Hugh Barrow.