EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS REPORTS

SCOT on the International Rugby Board's Executive today hit back at claims the game is "stuck in an English ghetto" and needs to expand its appeal beyond traditional nations.

Allegations are contained in a report commissioned by the chairman of English Premiership giants, Sale Sharks, Quentin Smith, and a group of unnamed supporters described as "committed rugby people."

The report's author, William Field, claims rugbyADVERTISEMENT has to break out of its traditional strongholds � Australia, England, Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, New Zealand and Wales � if it is to become truly international. But Bill Nolan described the report as "amazing" and claimed that any criticisms were at least five years out of date. "Under the chairmanship of Syd Millar and post the 2003 World Cup the IRB has taken a major role in developing the game globally.

"For proof you only have to look to last year's world cup with Georgia a perfect example of a country who came from nowhere, rugby-wise, to run Ireland close. Also, Fiji defeated Wales.

"Money has been put into developing tier two and tier-three nations; we now run a Pacific Nations Cup, a North America Cup and an African Cup."

The report is also critical of the decision to award the 2011 World Cup to New Zealand ahead of Japan. Nolan said: "Bidding is part of a democratic process which is open and transparent."

While Scotland are known to have held discussions aimed at attracting a large share of future tournaments and possibly a final to Murrayfield Nolan declined to comment on that possibility at this stage.

This article was posted on 29-Jul-2008, 13:55 by Hugh Barrow.