THE SCOTSMAN REPORTS


Carruthers sees light at end of the tunnel for Edinburgh
DAVID FERGUSON ([email protected])
ANOTHER tumultuous week in Scottish rugby could be ending in what might pass for harmony in this explosive world, according to Edinburgh's main shareholder Bob Carruthers, and may even provide a new platform for increased investment in the professional game.

Carruthers' dispute with the Scottish Rugby Union took a significant step closer to being resolved late last night when Edinburgh withdrew their resignation from the Union. Earlier in the day Carruthers held a second press conference of the week in Edinburgh's Caledonian Hotel, and, clearly in good spirits, he welcomed the clarification from the SRU that Edinburgh had, indeed, been free to play rugby without being members of the SRU, providing they adhere to the SRU's bye-laws and IRB regulations, and that they would now consult lawyers over whether to enter into mediation with Carruthers in a bid to solve the long-running commercial disputes.

Carruthers and most of his board last night faced an independent SRU disciplinary panel called to assess a complaint by the union that Edinburgh had contravened IRB regulations by withholding players from Scotland training. It was decided that the team had breached regulations and they received a warning. Unexpectedly, it was also announced last night that Edinburgh have restored their membership status at the SRU.

Carruthers also reiterated that his 12 international players had been released back for national squad duty on 7 July after being controversially kept out for five days, and were now on holiday in line with Scotland demands.

The outlook was certainly brighter than it has been all week, but there was one dark cloud. Carruthers could not hide his frustration yesterday when asked if the funding of Edinburgh is reliant on his promotion of rock concerts at Murrayfield Stadium, and suggested that the line of questioning had been instigated by Gordon McKie, the chief executive of the SRU.

But, up until that point, Carruthers had been upbeat and positive. "We are obviously delighted that the SRU have confirmed that the Edinburgh players play, not that we doubted it for a minute, and we're very pleased that everybody now recognises that and we can get on with the business of rugby," he told journalists. "There has been a suggestion that we need to agree to additional IRB or SRU bye-laws, but there has never been any question that Edinburgh has agreed and complied with all bye-laws and we will continue to do so.

"We're also pleased to see the SRU coming round to the idea that the best way to resolve this is mediation. I think in the interests first of all for Edinburgh but also Scottish rugby, this could be resolved today if Brandon Malone [solicitor advocate] and me could meet with the SRU and their lawyer.

"It is very difficult for us to go through a week like this, but one of the things it does do if you're positive about it is to come out the other end, hopefully, with a settlement that pleases everybody. If we're not treated as pariahs, then it will galvanise our investors into re-thinking why we came into this game in the first place. We came into this game to develop Scottish talent, playing in Scotland, and if that can be continued and we are seen to be having a positive experience then it would be very easy for me to start bringing in other investors, and to try and get the Caledonia Reds and Borders back in action.

"There are a lot of things that could be positive. We have Stephen Larkham coming, one of the world's greatest players and we don't want to lose these opportunities. There is a real imperative to help Edinburgh, help Scottish rugby, and we have to stop the damage being done to Edinburgh continuing. If we can make this positive then there is no reason why this couldn't actually be a very good platform to go forward and develop the professional game in Scotland."

That could be viewed as ambitious, but The Scotsman is aware of investors who have held discussions with Carruthers in recent weeks, with one confirming last night he remains convinced he could help Carruthers in his bid to improve Edinburgh or launch another team, outwith SRU control and at no cost to the SRU, serving what used to be the Caledonia (North and Midlands) area.

After a week in which we were forced to consider a future with just one team, Glasgow, that still takes a leap of faith right now. The question still remains: will the SRU return to the table after the bitter acrimony of recent weeks and months? The SRU maintained its week-long silence when asked for a response yesterday, but an SRU source who would not be named said: "Don't think that the Scottish Rugby Union are sitting back just waiting for something to happen. We are concerned at the damage being done to the game in Scotland and have a strategy for dealing with this sooner rather than later. We remain confident Edinburgh and Glasgow will compete in the Magners League and Heineken Cup next season."

Significantly, there was reference made to the image that has been created within Murrayfield - and subscribed to by leading officials and players - of Carruthers as a businessman struggling to find the cash to run a professional rugby team because he has not attracted big concert names such as Robbie Williams to Murrayfield.

Carruthers' good spirits dissolved when asked about this by The Scotsman yesterday, and whether the concerts were indeed hindering his efforts to invest what he expected to in Edinburgh. "The concerts are nothing to do with Edinburgh Rugby," he said, furiously. "Is anyone saying that we can't [afford to run the team]? I keep constantly having to deal with anonymous speculation. I think it's ridiculous that Gordon McKie needs a journalist to ask these questions of me rather than meet me and ask face-to-face. Why doesn't he come and ask me? It would be really good if I could stop having to address anonymous tittle-tattle and be able to talk directly to someone."

Malone interjected, stating: "This is part of the overall discussion. It's common knowledge that the stadium agreement is part of the overall deal in this, but we're not here to talk about that. This is about the rugby."

This article was posted on 13-Jul-2007, 07:28 by Hugh Barrow.