Edinburgh call for intermediate talks

Edinburgh have called on the Scottish Rugby Union to agree to mediation “without further delay”.

The team owned by Bob Carruthers resigned their associate membership of the SRU in protest as the national association’s refusal to meet their demands for a six-figure sum in Magners League and Heineken Cup fees, which Edinburgh claim they are owed.

The Murrayfield club have welcomed the SRU’s confirmation that they are free to continue playing professional rugby, after the national association originally stated Edinburgh would be barred from competing.

And with the SRU admitting they are now willing to consider talking over their differences with Edinburgh, the capital club are urging them to go one step further and commit to formal discussions.

A statement released by Edinburgh said: “The unfortunate events of the last week have done a great deal of damage to ERL (Edinburgh Rugby Limited) and its legitimate interests and caused extreme anxiety to its employees. This damage is continuing and should be remedied immediately.

“Given the continuing stress and anxiety to ERL’s employees, ERL is firmly committed to legal action if there is no alternative but wishes to avoid an unnecessary and expensive action against SRU as this is clearly not in the best interests of ERL or Scottish Rugby.

“ERL wishes to make it clear that this is not the time for recrimination ... but what is absolutely vital is that matters must be addressed without further delay.”