THE SCOTSMAN REPORTS
BILL LOTHIAN ([email protected])
THE board of Boroughmuir rugby club will meet to discuss the possibility of pushing harder for the eventual Scottish club champions to be included in next season's European Challenge Cup.

The issue has arisen after the Evening News revealed that for Scotland to maximise European revenue with two teams in the premier Heineken Cup tournament a third entry was required for the second-tier event.

The SRU are keeping cards close to their chest but Stan Watt, president of Boroughmuir, appears in no doubt what should happen - while hinting that a deal might already have been done to create another centrally controlled outfit based in London. "Let's face it, clubs in Europe is what was supposed to happen (at the onset of professionalism in the mid-1990s) and were gearing up for. Then it just passed us (clubs).

"I expect Boroughmuir to debate the prospect of Scottish champions - whoever they might be and nobody is counting any chickens despite the fact we are currently leading the table - entering the second tier in a move I believe would be popular.

"I am under no illusions, though, that moves are afoot for Scots to organise a Celtic League entry based in London though who, up here, is going to watch their home matches? Depending on discussions tonight there could be a proposal put to the next meeting of the Scottish Premier clubs' association in early December urging them to press for a club side to play in Europe.

"If that happened to be Boroughmuir I'm confident we have the players, coaches and facilities at Meggetland to compete.

"Like I say I am not holding my breath because of this London bid but the current Boroughmuir side could hold its own in the second tier of English club competition so why not Europe?"

At full strength Boroughmuir can include a string of players with Celtic and European experience including Fergus Pringle.

The second row missed Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership action last weekend to sit on the bench for Edinburgh throughout a match at Munster on a day when rivals Currie had stand off Ally Warnock released from Celtic League duty.

This article was posted on 7-Nov-2007, 08:11 by Hugh Barrow.