Rugby: Further discussions on Heineken revamp
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.