EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS REPORTS;

RUGBY'S powerful International Board today fired a warning shot across the bows of Welsh Celtic League rebels.

In a move which will boost Edinburgh Rugby's hopes of maintaining an extended competitive programme, International Board officials hinted they would not stand by and see the demise of the Celtic competition due to the selfishness of Welsh clubs who want to tear up an agreement in order to play more regularly with English counterparts.

IB spokesman Greg Thomas said: "A Welsh/English Cup competition constitutes a cross-border event and as such will have to come before the IB for approval.

"While it is not the role of the IB to get involved in the day-to-day affairs of member countries we are taking a watching brief regarding what is going on in the Celtic League at the moment."

The Welsh sides have been expelled by their Scottish and Irish counterparts for turning their backs on a deal which had already been agreed.

Their actions meant games would have to be played through the international window to compensate for the men from the valleys being otherwise engaged at other times on Powergen Cup business.

Thomas said: "We are hopeful that the impasse which has arisen will be sorted out but there is no question of any new tournament like an expanded Powergen Cup going ahead without our approval.

"It is expected that the new cross-border competition that is the Powergen Cup will be discussed at the next meeting of our executive towards the end of this month."

Behind the scenes it is understood there is considerable lobbying to ensure that any advances made by two founder members of the IB are not undermined to the detriment of the game at large.

This would undoubtedly be the case if the Scots and Irish were forced to play domestically with stars away on international duty.

Similarly, if the tournament was watered down through the absence of the likes of British and Irish Lions Michael Owen (Dragons), Gavin Henson (Ospreys), Dwayne Peel (Llanelli) and Martyn Williams (Cardiff) this would cause concern, given the way.

Celtic rugby has driven up standards and broadened the international game's base.

Thomas added: "IB regulation 16 talks about the need for cross-border events having to be approved and we are aware of the Scottish and Irish position."

A spokesman for the Scottish Rugby Union welcomed the IB monitoring of the situation as being "of interest".

He added: "There has been a dialogue with Wales and we are waiting to hear back."

Meanwhile, IB bosses admitted that the huge numbers of supporters travelling from Great Britain and Ireland to back the Lions in New Zealand could have implications in a bid by rugby to return to the Olympics in 2012 for the first time since 1924.

Around 30,000 fans have crossed the globe and spokesman Greg Thomas said:

"The question of seven-a-sides gaining inclusion is due to be debated by the IOC next month and obviously it cannot harm our case that interest in the New Zealand - Lions series is running high to the extent so many have travelled from Europe.

"Not only that but there are arguments that (rugby) supporters know how to enjoy themselves in the proper fashion while being prepared to spend money on watching other sports in an Olympic environment.

"So far as seven-a-sides are concerned, this is more practical than 15-a-sides but there is encouraging evidence of players developing a higher profile in this version of the game.

"We would certainly hope that many of the Lions would turn out were rugby to be admitted to the Olympics including the possibility of tour skipper Brian O'Driscoll turning out for Ireland against his team-mates who would be representing Great Britain in an interesting twist.

"If the opportunity arises to make another presentation to the IOC before the list of summer sports is reviewed then we would jump at it.

"We would highlight the fact that the current IRB Sevens Grand Prix has broken all records in terms of TV broadcasting and attendances across the six tournaments played so far in Dubai, George (South Africa), Wellington, Los Angeles, Singapore and London.

"Furthermore, following the unprecedented live television coverage of the IRB Sevens in London, IRB distribution partner Pro-Active Television has also announced strong live broadcast figures for the Paris event, with Fiji, Samoa, Portugal, Ireland and the Middle East all taking live footage, and broadcasters in South Africa, New Zealand, UK and France showing extensive delayed live and highlights packages."

This article was posted on 10-Jun-2005, 12:46 by Hugh Barrow.