EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS REPORTS

Barnes puts disciplinary matters to one side as he targets SRU council post

BILL LOTHIAN
EDINBURGH ACCIES rugby coach Ian Barnes will tonight set aside an impending disciplinary hearing to throw his hat into the ring for a key Murrayfield post.

Barnes is standing against sitting tenant George Clark (Boroughmuir) for the right to represent Division One clubs on the SRU Council.

By a quirk of fate the election falls on a day originally earmarked for calling Barnes to account for remarks made during the past season.

These concerned an alleged poor refereeing performance and also the refusal of the authorities to release Scotland under-20 star Chris Kinloch from national academy training for club duties.

Barnes, a retired accountant, said of his election bid: "It's put up or shut up time so far as standing for the council is concerned.

"I am feeling comfortable about the support I an hoping to receive." It is understood that former international second row Barnes, 60, would be prepared to sign a code of conduct required of council members, if elected.

On the disciplinary front, Barnes said he was confident of mounting an appropriate defence when the hearing eventually goes ahead.

"Both sides have had difficulty agreeing to a date so the hearing has been put back until later in the summer."

Lawyer George Clark was elected to the council in 2005. Previously he was Boroughmuir secretary for six years as well as coaching mini and midi rugby. Mr Clark was unavailable for comment today.

This article was posted on 20-May-2008, 21:31 by Hugh Barrow.