Rugby: Further discussions on Heineken revamp

By BILL LOTHIAN
Published on 12/12/2012 12:00

The involvement of both 
Edinburgh and Glasgow in future Heineken Cups is due to go under the microscope in 
London today, writes BILL LOTHIAN.

Another meeting of the 
tournament Board has been convened and will discuss 
proposals for a revamped 
competition including one put forward by England and France that requires the Celtic 
contingent to pre-qualify through their domestic league. It is a suggestion that has been vehemently rejected by the Celts who, in turn, have called for a tournament that would be expanded from 24 to 32 teams.

However, the English and French, who have to battle through their own leagues for qualification – and whose 
results in Europe this season are vastly superior to all except the irish – are threatening to walk away. One additional worry so far as Edinburgh fans are concerned is the possibility that, if there was
to be only one Scottish representative, then, taking a precedent from the British and Irish club cup, the Murrayfield owners might look to move players around, effectively 
entering a “Home Scots” team.

Such a scenario would be seen as ultimately leading to the demise of the Scottish pro game in its present format.