SRU insists it is open to Italians in Celtic League

THE Scottish Rugby Union last night refuted claims that Edinburgh and Glasgow faced expulsion from the Magners League if the union refused to agree to Italian clubs joining next season.

Welsh TV and radio programme Scrum V reported last night that the Welsh and Irish unions had formed a pact to vote for the expulsion of the SRU from the Celtic League set-up if they continue to stymie the entry of Italian sides Treviso and Viadana for 2010-11.

The Italian Rugby Federation has insisted that it has met all the criteria demanded and told the SRU in meetings in Rome at the weekend that it is unhappy at the prospect of waiting another year. However, the SRU's argument is not essentially with the Italians, but with the governance of the Celtic League.

Dominic McKay, the SRU's Director of Communications, told The Scotsman: "The suggestion that there have been threats to expel the SRU or Scottish teams are totally without foundation.

"We are positive about Italian entry, who we believe could enhance the tournament and European rugby.

"We continue to have constructive discussions with our colleagues in Ireland and Wales and had very positive discussions with our colleagues in Italy at the weekend.

"But there are a number of issues that need to be clarified and one is the governance and administration of the Celtic League to ensure that any Italian entry is managed appropriately and enhances the tournament."