SRU expresses its concern over boycott

The Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) has expressed serious concern in regard to decisions announced yesterday by the French National League (LNR) and Premier Rugby in England (PRL) to withdraw from the Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup from next season.

The French and English clubs' decision to withdraw from the two levels of European competition run by ERC will have a significant rugby and financial impact on all participating countries, and especially for Scotland.

Scottish Rugby holds the European competition in the highest regard and recognises the considerable contribution to the event's success made by clubs from France and England.

Scottish Rugby representatives will take part in next week's meetings with ERC in Dublin and will seek to clarify how yesterday's decision will impact on all other remaining participants from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and Italy.

It is clear that if there is no European competition in the 2007-08 season, Scottish Rugby's net revenue will reduce by over #2m, some of which is shared with Edinburgh Rugby Ltd.

Finally, Scottish Rugby is pleased to learn that the RFU will be taking further legal advice in the next few days before reaching its final decision over its position. Scottish Rugby will consider matters further after next week's Dublin meeting and an approach to the IRB is likely.

The future viability of the professional game in Scotland could be jeopardized if a successful outcome cannot be reached from these negotiations.