Edinburgh Evening News reports
BILL LOTHIAN ([email protected])
THE possible exclusion of Edinburgh Rugby from next season's Magners League is causing serious concern to other teams in the competition.

The league has already been hit by the decision by the Scottish Rugby Union to close down the Borders at the end of last season.

Edinburgh Rugby resigned as associate member of the SRU in the midst of a row over how much of the revenue from the Magners League and Heineken Cup the governing body should pass on to the club itself.

The SRU immediately pointed out that International Board rules effectively ban other teams from member unions from playing against Edinburgh.

Unless the dispute is resolved that would leave Edinburgh frozen out of the Magners League and Heineken Cup and put professional rugby in Scotland at a crossroads - a prospect which has been greeted with alarm from Leinster to Llanelli.

At Leinster, spokesman Peter Breen said: "This decision does not do anyone any favours.

"Being based in Dublin we always look forward to clashes between two great rugby cities. It goes beyond that because by signing [Wallaby stand off] Stephen Larkham Edinburgh have helped raise the standard of the league."

These views were echoed by Llanelli Scarlets Chief Executive Stuart Gallacher, below right, who expressed astonishment that Edinburgh would leave themselves open to sanction by resigning from the SRU.

"The rugby unions of the world always stick together," said Gallagher. "The possible exclusion of Edinburgh from the Magners Celtic League and Heineken European Cup is a disaster with huge implications.

"The credibility of the league is affected as we would be down to nine teams, leaving only eight home matches a season.

"As for European competition, of which I am a director, Scotland are now without representation in the second-tier event.

"They are getting support in troubled times of having two teams entered in the Cup and not in the second tier just as Wales did a few years ago but the long term is worrying.

"I have spoken to some people in Scotland who say they don't hold out a great deal of hope for a resolution.

"The game needs a strong Scotland but it does appear people are voting with their feet and staying away from games. Certainly I have seen a big difference in Scottish rugby over the 40 years I have been travelling north.

"From big crowds at Boroughmuir to a couple of thousand for Edinburgh games at Murrayfield or Meadowbank, it is clear the public are not accepting what is happening.

"On top of that there have been suggestions of higher attendances in Italy than in Scotland for European games.

"If Edinburgh do drop out then even more players will leave Scotland.

"Already this summer we have seen the departures of Scott Murray, Chris Cusiter, Simon Taylor and our own new signing from Borders, Bruce Douglas.

"This whole business transcends possible player-signings, however.

"It is much more important that European rugby has Scotland competing and, hopefully, that can happen again."

Former Edinburgh, Scotland and Lions captain Finlay Calder is convinced that the only way is up after Edinburgh's resignation from the SRU brought matters to boiling point.

Calder said: "I'm glad this has been brought to a head because, in any business, there has to be a relationship between both parties.

"There is never a good time for a breakdown to happen - but it has in this instance.

"Whatever comes out of this situation has to be better for everyone particularly the players and their families."

Calder insisted the traditional clubs would always be there to provide stability while steadfastedly refusing to say 'I told you so' about the route Scottish rugby chose to go down by preferring a centrally controlled, district-based system. People always tend to set greater store by the opinions of institutions and I suppose that is inevitable.

"Chopping and changing removes stability and we all want that, particularly just now.

"But, when people see a train charging towards the edge of a cliff there is no option but to step aside and then make themselves available to help pick up the pieces.

"Whatever happens I am convinced Scotland can have a creditable World Cup because there is a great tradition in rugby of punching above our weight, which I am sure will continue in the Autumn."

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This article was posted on 10-Jul-2007, 12:11 by Hugh Barrow.