The Herald reports

They may be on the periphery in competitive terms, but Scotland’s Heineken Cup entrants were at the centre of events as the tournament suffered its worst ever weekend of disruption.

Edinburgh plan to play their tie with Castres behind closed doors at Murrayfield today after a huge snowfall on Saturday night rendered the pitch unplayable and the surrounding areas dangerous for supporters yesterday.

However, Glasgow Warriors’ meeting with Toulouse was called off in bizarre circumstances with the venue perfectly playable and both teams in the French town. The problem was that the visitors’ playing and medical equipment had been left behind after what had been a tortuous 10-hour journey.

That has reportedly led to some local criticism of Glasgow’s administrators, but their supporters contacted Herald Sport yesterday to defend the club vigorously.

“Over here there have been some questions asked about whether Glasgow should have travelled earlier or whether they should have chartered their own flight, but that is unrealistic,” said David Miller, one of a stalwart group who follow the team to all European ties.

“We are disappointed we are not now going to be here to see the match. Some are going home tonight and the rest tomorrow if our flights leave as scheduled, but we understand the situation that the club has found itself in.

“They don’t have the money to be routinely chartering flights, but while most of the supporters travelled with budget airlines they came over with the flag carrier British Airways, so were entitled to expect that their kit would have arrived. There’s been talk, too, that Toulouse were prepared to lend them kit, including buying them all boots, but the players need their own mouthguards and in some cases they have specially adapted footwear, so that wouldn’t work.

“It’s been a really difficult weekend for them and we’ve even bumped into some of the squad in town who were out buying underwear because the players only have what they travelled in.”

That cannot be seen as blind loyalty, since Glasgow’s supporters have been prepared to criticise both the players and management in the past, as recently as last season when they felt they had been snubbed in Biarritz. On this occasion, though, Miller claimed the club’s attitude had been exemplary, particularly in terms of communicating with supporters.

“Obviously, a lot of us are suffering travel problems as well now, but they have told us that they will do everything they can to make sure that no supporters are left behind by the time they head home after playing the match on Tuesday evening,” he noted.

The club’s spokesman thanked supporters for that patience and understanding when explaining matters from an official perspective yesterday. “All team luggage and essential medical and playing equipment remains at Heathrow Airport,” he said. “British Airways have informed Glasgow Warriors that they have committed significant resource to finding the missing luggage and will have it dispatched to the team in Toulouse as soon as possible.”

He thanked the Toulouse club for the attitude they have taken in providing Glasgow with training gear and noted that the opportunity had been taken to offer supporters the consolation of some inter-action with the players by inviting them to their training. The match will now take place at 7pm tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Edinburgh’s management apologised to supporters for the fact that they will not be able to attend today’s match, which kicks off at 2pm.

“After extensive dialogue with both teams and relevant stadium and safety staff, ERC, the tournament organisers, have decided the match will now take place at Murrayfield on Monday, 20 December. No supporters will be admitted, on account of continuing problems in and around the stadium caused by the adverse weather,” said Edinburgh’s spokesman.

“Edinburgh Rugby Club respect ERC’s decision and recognises that public safety is paramount. Scheduling requirements dictate that fixtures under ERC’s jurisdiction must be fulfilled within as short a space of time as possible to the original slot. A considerable amount of effort is being expended to ensure the game goes ahead tomorrow.”

Ironically, that meant there was no Scottish involvement in European competition across the weekend, a European tie did go ahead a few miles south on Scottish soil after the late decision to switch the all English Amlin Challenge Cup tie between Newcastle Falcons and Exeter across the border to Gala’s Netherdale.

Those who braved the conditions enjoyed a thriller, too, Newcastle edging out their opponents 26-24 with a late Jeremy Manning penalty in spite of having lost the try count 2-1.

This article was originally posted on 20-Dec-2010, 07:31 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 20-Dec-2010, 07:32.