EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS REPORTS

BILL LOTHIAN


SCOTTISH rugby bosses today welcomed fresh Welsh commitment to saving the Celtic League but the issue of suspending play in the Autumn international window is still unresolved.

In a statement ahead of a crucial meeting today, Welsh chief executive Steve Lewis said: "We believe we can find more than one way for the Celtic League season to support our plan to play in the Anglo-Welsh Cup."

But Mike Keohane, SRU Corporate Communications director, claimed the Welsh would have to give ground.

"Maybe the Welsh don't have to play these [Anglo-Welsh] games at weekends," said Keohane.

"For us to field sides short of international players would not be in the interests of spectators," he added.

Playing at weekends is thought to be crucial to the Anglo-Welsh Cup's planned BBC TV deal. However, Keohane said it was his understanding that a television deal for the Anglo-Welsh competition had not yet been signed.

The competition threatens to drag the BBC to the table with possible implications for their coverage of the home countries' blue riband Six Nations Championship.

Keohane was keen to emphasis the benefits of a successful Celtic League if all parties stuck to an agreement reached in April.

He said: "If we can stand by our original plan for a four-year agreement then I am sure a sponsor will come forward. It isn't going to happen for a one-year deal - four years provides stability."

The availability of internationalists playing throughout will be argued by Scots delegates Fred McLeod and Keith Grainger.

Keohane added: "As soon as you have teams being forced to put out a lesser side that demeans the competition. The real issue is clearly that every individual going to today's meeting takes with them the spirit of wanting to ensure a Celtic League that benefits club and international rugby.

"If we have that we have something that will be important in continuing to raise performance levels and I remain optimistic that a solution can be found."

This article was posted on 17-Jun-2005, 13:59 by Hugh Barrow.