Rugby: Peter Wright wants quick call on cross-border set-up

NEW Premiership rugby representative Peter Wright has called for an early decision on how many Scottish clubs will be competing in the British and Irish Cup next season.

Former Scotland and Lions star Wright has taken over at Division One level from Ian Barnes whose Edinburgh Accies side were relegated and has made it clear that maintaining the type of intensive cross-border competition that was introduced in 2009-10 is a priority.

"The smart money is on three teams and compared to last year it will be club sides from Scotland," said Wright in a reference to the Gael Force combine fielded by the SRU to cater for academy and professional fringe outfits.

He added: "Hopefully the number can be increased to four because that would mean a particularly good geographical spread involving Currie, Ayr, Melrose and Dundee High.

"With a representative in each district they could vie with each other for best performances, attendances etc but we need to know the format as soon as possible so that planning can begin subject to certain matters being approved at next month's SRU annual meeting.

"The main thing is that ambition is encouraged because that is what drives people on.

"I'd hate Scottish rugby to replicate the situation in England where it appears the top sides are trying to ring-fence themselves.

"Hopefully I can act as a bridge between someone who started out at grassroots Lasswade, who it is great to see climbing again, and what is hopefully a performance element in the premiership.

"The premiership is sometimes accused of being elitist but we are in the community side of rugby as well. At the time I left Lasswade for Boroughmuir there were people who said I was making a mistake but I wanted to better myself rugby-wise.

"Similarly, when Ayr and Heriot's went into the first British and Irish Cup there was a lot of negativity about, which was subsequently disproved.

"Claims that there would be mis-matches and injuries as a consequence of playing semi-pro teams didn't materialise and with the premiership looking rosy again we have something to build on.

"Certainly there is a lot of money invested in the premiership through coaching and facilities. In taking over from Ian Barnes hopefully I can continue to give insight from a player/coach's point of view.

"That is not to denigrate the work of administrators – we are all rugby men – but there can be a difference in the way matters are looked at. Above all I want to raise standards in any way possible."