Scotland's leading rugby clubs discuss a breakaway from the SRU

Published on Monday 8 December 2008 08:42

LEADING Premiership clubs have discussed a possible breakaway from the Scottish Rugby Union, it emerged today.

Confirmation that the subject had been raised at a recent meeting of the influential Premiership Division One Forum came from Iain Russell, director of rugby at Currie.

He said: "Someone mentioned a breakaway. The whole thing would have to be thought through, however, and there has not been a debate.

"That would be interesting because all clubs are struggling."

Another Capital source acknowledged awareness of the plan, saying: "I hear there is a sponsor in the background if a breakaway happened."

The driving force behind any re-shaping of the club structure appears to be current Premiership leaders, Ayr, whose president, Billy McHarg was today reported as saying: "We need to shake things up. There is a common recognition that we should take responsibility for our own affairs."

Autonomy would mean leading clubs being able to negotiate their own broadcasting deals and other sources of revenue. At present, league winners receive no prize money.

McHarg said: "We should spell out we do not want conflict with the SRU. The opposite is true. What we are looking at is taking charge of our own affairs and having control of our own destiny.

"I would have thought in the present climate the SRU would actually support this scheme because it would lighten their load and leave it up to the clubs to search for sponsors, forge closer links with their communities and local authorities and sort out their affairs, on and off the pitch.

"The response of the other Premiership clubs has been very positive. Yes, a lot of work still needs to be done across the board but we are pretty united in accepting that change is for the good."

Representatives from the SRU were unavailable for comment.