EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS REPORTS
BILL LOTHIAN ([email protected])
SCOTT MURRAY'S agent today confirmed he is planning for a further trip from his English base to the Capital in an attempt to sort out the latest wrangle involving Edinburgh Rugby and a high-profile player.

As indicated in yesterday's Evening News a dispute has arisen between Scottish record cap holder Murray and the club. The row is believed to centre on the manner of the player's imminent departure for French side Montauban after this Autumn's World Cup. Reports claim Murray is alleged to have fallen foul of Edinburgh, who still hold his contract, by speaking publicly about the move. It is further reported that Murray is facing no pay until joining Montauban in November.

Murray was unavailable for comment today but his representative, Dave Williams, of Big Bug Sports, made it clear the two parties were at loggerheads.

"It is an internal matter," he said. "In normal circumstances it would be delicate but it is particularly delicate at the moment."

Asked if he was intending to travel to Edinburgh amidst claims Murray had been called to a meeting with Dean Lewis, Edinburgh Chief Executive, Williams said: "It's quite possible I will be coming to Edinburgh. I have been in Edinburgh quite a bit recently."

Edinburgh owner Bob Carruthers has declined to discuss the Murray situation specifically, but in a week which has seen star back Chris Paterson leave for Gloucester having become unsettled by a long-running row between Edinburgh and the Scottish Rugby Union Carruthers has signalled a determination to put the club on what he sees as an even keel provided he is given a chance.

Any misgivings - and at the moment Carruthers is not for walking away - would be based on the amount of control the SRU can continue to exert by implementing IRB rules allowing them to withdraw players for national training at any time.

Carruthers, the first private owner introduced to the Scottish game, told the Evening News: "If we are going to do this thing [run the club] we are going to do it professionally."

What particularly infuriates music/film impressario Carruthers is that several players appear to have negotiated deals while released to Scotland training.

"Any release of players must cut both ways and the SRU have a duty of care so far as Edinburgh Rugby are concerned," he said. "At the heart of things is this arrangement where half the Scotland squad are on central contracts and the other half are paid by Edinburgh Rugby. Despite the fact that we don't see players for long periods Edinburgh are expected to keep paying their wages."

Speaking generally about the type of club he was trying to build Carruthers said: "We can't allow people to be free to do what they like when they are employees of Edinburgh Rugby. They can't embarrass us and can't make up their own rules. Sometimes you have to be tough to be fair.

"We want everyone in the squad to understand they are there to do their best for Edinburgh Rugby but, of course, we want to support the Scotland squad as well."

How that private investment needed to float a professional game at a time when only Carruthers has been prepared to put his head above the parapet is married to the national interest is at the heart of the current disputes which does nobody any favours.

Meanwhile, Carruthers confirmed the arrival of former Scotland under-21 captain and stand off David Blair from Sale Sharks saying: "He is with us and on an apprentice contract."

This article was posted on 26-Jul-2007, 11:14 by Hugh Barrow.