THE Scottish Rugby Union has defended the decision to take their row with English clubs over player release to the International Rugby Board – despite claims they were forced into an embarrassing U-turn over the matter.
On Tuesday, the SRU announced the IRB had finally ruled over how long Scotland head coach Frank Hadden would have to prepare his squad for next month's autumn internationals. The ruling instructs Guinness Premiership teams to release their Scotland p
layers 12 days before the 8 November Test against New Zealand.
Hadden had wanted them two weeks prior to the game, whereas Premier Rugby – the umbrella organisation representing Premiership clubs – had insisted it was only obliged to stick to a five-day release period. The outcome appeared a minor victory for Hadden, but Premier Rugby last night claimed it was a replica of a deal they offered back in July.
It is understood the IRB actively discourages member unions from negotiating directly with Premier Rugby, preferring them to deal with other member unions and individual clubs.
The SRU would not comment on Premier Rugby's claims they rejected a summer deal, but did insist they were right to involve the IRB in the dispute.
"It had to be taken to the IRB for a ruling, not just for Scotland," said a spokesman. "It's not about narrow self-interest. It's not about parochialism. It's about the important point of principle, the importance of the international game and developing the game worldwide."
Hadden was desperate to secure as much preparation time with his squad as possible, with the outcome of the November Tests against the All Blacks, South Africa and Canada vital to Scotland's ranking going into the 2011 World Cup draw.
The SRU spokesman added: "The key thing is we now have some clarity and we are now able to plan with certainty for three vitally important games."
The ruling announced yesterday was a temporary fix for a problem that has dogged the game since the advent of professionalism 13 years ago. Rugby's world governing body are set to meet at the end of next month in a bid to rubber stamp a new Regulation 9, which governs player release. It remains to be seen whether this will prevent future conflict or will be simply another fudge.
The full article contains 390 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
