SRU: 'Professional game in jeopardy'

The Scottish Rugby Union has warned that the “future viability of the professional game in Scotland could be jeopardised” by the withdrawal of English and French sides from next season’s Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup.

Rugby union chiefs have meanwhile insisted the Heineken Cup could still be played with English clubs next season.

The European competition is in doubt after the English sides voted to follow their French counterparts and withdraw.

Yet there is still hope the situation could be resolved and Rugby Football Union chairman Martyn Thomas and Leicester chairman Peter Tom have said the parties are prepared to meet to discuss a solution.

Thomas told BBC Sport: “We remain available 24/7 to meet Premier Rugby and seek a solution. The cup can be saved.”

Tom added: “There would have to be meetings in a very short period of time in which all of the current issues can be agreed. I don’t think we can continue in the way we have before with lots of different sets of talks. We need to be prepared to lock ourselves in a room for 24 hours to sort it out.”

The RFU have threatened to take legal action if English clubs do not compete because they would be breaching contractual obligations.

The withdrawal of the 14 Guinness Premiership and the French clubs would leave the Heineken Cup facing a bleak future.

Nine of the elite competition’s previous 11 blue finals have been won by English or French sides.