Clubs set to be up for the Cup in November

Published on Friday 4 July 2008 14:20

The 2008-09 Scottish Hydro Electric national club rugby cup will kick off during November's autumn international programme if a plan just agreed by the new SRU Championship Committee is approved.

The latest annual meeting of the governing body voted against an official proposal to suspend the Cup until after a fixture revamp and instead charged the committee with urgently finding space in the 2008-09 calendar for the knock-out event.

Today, a source told the Evening News that agreement had been reached to hold early ties on November 8 and November 22 with the middle international Saturday, when South Africa visit Murrayfield, earmarked as a stand-by slot for postponed games.

At last night's meeting, a decision was also taken to fill a vacancy on the influential SRU Board for a council delegate by promoting former referee Eddie Crozier (Whitecraigs) into a position previously held by George Clark (Boroughmuir).

Joining Crozier as fellow council nominees are re-elected Board members Malcolm Gillies (Lismore), Jim Fleming (Boroughmuir) and Archie Ferguson (Lenzie).

So far as reinstating the Scottish Cup is concerned, Championship Committee members also heard that kick-off times on the third international weekend would be partly determined by whether Scotland's concluding international against Canada at Pittodrie, Aberdeen, would be shown live on television.

"We are expecting to be informed about television plans for the Canada game before the Championship Committee re-convenes on Monday to take stock of feedback from clubs over the weekend," the source indicated.

It will come as a surprise to many that a broadcast of the Scotland v Canada clash cannot yet apparently be taken for granted.

Similarly, some Border clubs' presence in the forthcoming draw may still be up in the air amidst calls to opt out, with travel costs regarded as prohibitive to entry in some quarters.

However, our source expressed confidence that both a television deal for Canada's visit and a strong Border Cup entry would occur.

"The heaviest part of the Cup programme is likely to take place in April when Borders clubs traditionally hold their sevens tournaments.

"But a way is emerging to fit everything in and, with a clear message coming from last week's AGM that more consultation between Murrayfield authorities and clubs is essential, it was agreed to send out information about Cup plans by e-mail in the hope of getting outline permission to continue down the same planning route by Monday."

The original SRU fixture draft left the international programme blank so far as club action is concerned.

"So far as the opening international against New Zealand is concerned, a 5.00pm kick off means there is plenty of scope to organise Scottish Cup ties earlier in the day leaving players and supporters free to watch Scotland later.

"It is also expected there will now be club matches over Scotland's three home Six Nations weekends in 2009."

Speculation currently exists that clubs would have to go straight into the Scottish Cup in August before leagues get underway.

This is now regarded as unlikely.

"Only one preliminary tie had to be held in the East of Scotland early last season when Dalkeith beat Moray House and I don't envisage any hectic activity this August," said the source.

Meanwhile, the Championship committee which met last night included two new members – Murdo Gillanders from Lismore and Dundee High's Gavin Garden.