REVEALED IN EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS TODAY

BILL LOTHIAN
EDINBURGH'S participation in the Heineken European Cup is guaranteed for a further five years regardless of where the team finish in the Magners League.

Similarly, Glasgow are to be ring-fenced into the competition for a similar period under an agreement that abandons the need for countries to have a representative in the second tier event, the Evening News has also learned.

It has emerged that during a tour of the country by the SRU promoting their five-year strategic plan and fronted by chief executive Gordon McKie, delegates to one meeting were assured that funding was secured by a deal about to be unveiled that would see Scotland's representation in Europe remain unchanged.

Fears had existed that, with the demise of the Borders, representation would be cut proportionately, leaving one of the two remaining Scottish sides out in the cold so far as the principal tournament was concerned.

However, a source said: "The European monies that underpin the SRU's policy of two centrally-run teams are safe after they brokered an agreement that they would continue to play in the Heineken Cup."

Entry to the Heineken Cup is believed to be worth over £2million to each team by the time television fees and sponsorship are taken into account.

The source added: "The SRU have received a sympathetic ear in pleading the case that European rugby needs to expand and not contract any further. They also cited a precedent set in Wales where all the regional teams are in the Heineken Cup.

"However, this does beg the question of what, if anything, has been pledged in return to the powerful French and English clubs who generate much of the viewing appeal and who have expressed concerns that their involvement is too limited?"

Confirmation that Scotland will continue to have two teams in the Heineken Cup is expected next month when tournament directors stage their next meeting.

Once this is known, Edinburgh's owners will be in a stronger position to commit to a smaller stadium widely acknowledged as essential to the development of the team while stemming a player exodus encouraging more to follow the example of Test scrum half Mike Blair who has just extended his contract in the Capital.

This article was posted on 27-Dec-2007, 12:28 by Hugh Barrow.