The Scotsman reports

Published Date: 10 June 2011
By David Ferguson
An emergency meeting of the Scottish Rugby Union's board has quelled rising tension between members for now, but concerns remain at the top about the future direction of the governing body.
The Scotsman yesterday revealed that there are concerns in the boardroom over the balance of power in the SRU, with one section of the board wary of a shift of power away from executives, and another section questioning the power and influence of those executives. This tension prompted an unscheduled meeting to be called by board chairman Allan Munro for yesterday morning.

Board members reported to Murrayfield at 10am and, two hours later, emerged tight-lipped from a meeting at which they had been reminded of their confidentiality obligations.

They directed all questions to the SRU's director of communications, Dominic McKay.

A statement was released three hours later which attempted to portray harmony in the boardroom, with votes of confidence for the current system of governance and the executive management team.

But the statement's bid to present a unified front begged the question why, if all were in agreement, an extra meeting had been considered necessary - a meeting which necessitated the SRU president Ian McLauchlan breaking a holiday to attend.

The Scotsman understands that, despite this apparent show of unity, there remains deep concern at the direction of the union under chief executive Gordon McKie. But he has been backed in the meantime by the board with common sense breaking out as they prepare for their annual general meeting in two weeks' time.

Although the sole issue to be discussed yesterday was believed to be membership of the board it is known that at least one senior figure wanted the meeting to address governance. The statement issued afterwards made clear that any concern over the structure was not shared by the rest of the board.

Yesterday's meeting brought to a head events ignited by a stormy board meeting last Thursday. McKie and finance director Eamon Hegarty were questioned on a number of issues and took exception to some of the challenges, which spilled over into Friday and led to a call from one member for McKie's suspension. This was resisted by Munro, who is now looking into the situation.

The next board meeting was scheduled for next Thursday, ahead of the agm on 25 June. However, Munro decided earlier this week to call the extra meeting. Gordon Bulloch, the former Scotland and British and Irish Lions hooker, who has been a non-executive director since 2009, was the only board member who did not attend.

There was no agenda produced ahead of the meeting, and the exact reason for its necessity was not confirmed by the SRU yesterday. The official statement issued in the name of the SRU board read: "Following today's meeting of the Scottish Rugby Board, the board unanimously reaffirmed its support for and confidence in Scottish Rugby's established and successful system of governance.

"The board is committed to ensuring this well-established system is maintained going forward. This system clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of the executives, non executives (including chairman) and council members of the board, as well as the relationship between the board and the Scottish Rugby Council. Each of these groups has an important but different set of responsibilities and this was unanimously supported by the meeting.

"The board also reaffirmed its full support for the Scottish Rugby (SRU] executive management team."

Munro was then quoted, stating: "Scottish Rugby remains in excellent health and today's meeting simply demonstrates that the governance model of our game in Scotland is absolutely sound and is rightly held in high regard by other governing bodies.

"Further to unhelpful media speculation, the board also expressed confidence in the executive management team who have the full support of the board to drive forward the organisation. I am personally delighted with how our great sport is developing at all levels, and reiterate our thanks to all our staff, players and volunteers who work tirelessly to grow the game. I very much look forward with confidence to the Rugby World Cup later this year."

This article was posted on 10-Jun-2011, 05:30 by Hugh Barrow.