SRU: New rule is 'missed opportunity'

The Scottish Rugby Union today accused the International Rugby Board of failing smaller nations after revising their rules over player release for Test matches.

The IRB last night approved a new Regulation 9 which it is hoped will prevent the club-versus-country conflicts which have dogged the game since the advent of professionalism.

The announcement was a partial victory for the SRU, who had been campaigning for clubs to be forced to release players for international duty two weeks before a series of Test matches.

Clubs will only be obliged to stick to a five-day release period under the new regulation.

But they will also have to let players attend a three-day training session with their countries on the Monday of the previous week ahead of both the RBS 6 Nations and autumn internationals, as well as for a third session at an unspecified time.

That effectively gives northern hemisphere nations initial access to their players two weeks before the Six Nations and November Tests but with the understanding they will go back to their clubs for up to five days before returning to the fold.

This mirrors the temporary resolution the IRB negotiated with the SRU following their row with Guinness Premiership clubs over release for the recent autumn internationals.

The issue is complicated by the fact that cash-rich national governing bodies can afford to pay clubs millions to release players for the full two-week period.

The Rugby Football Union in England have just such an agreement in place with Premier Rugby, the umbrella organisation for Premiership teams.

And while welcoming the “clarity and consistency” yesterday’s announcement brings, the SRU believes it will increase the divide between the haves and have nots.

Chief executive Gordon McKie said: “Yesterday’s decision will have the potential capacity to diminish the pre-eminence of international rugby.

“Our concern on this issue is one that is absolutely enshrined in the principle of best versus best and that international teams have adequate preparation time.

“It was important for the worldwide game, for countries like Argentina, Italy, Georgia, Fiji, Samoa and Scotland among others, that the IRB approved robust and enforceable regulations enshrining international rugby’s rights of access to exile players.

“I believe an opportunity has been missed as a result of yesterday’s decision by the IRB.

“The decision in essence means that only the rich unions, which can buy extra days, and those unions that have all their players centrally contracted will have access to their players when they want them.

“It is vital for all unions and for all players that access to international rugby, the pinnacle of our game, is not restricted to the cash-rich unions to ensure that the principle of best versus best is achieved.

“That said, we now have a new IRB regulation and we will have to work within that and redouble our efforts to close the gap which exists with the wealthier nations.

“The inclusion of the A team in the new regulation should help us in this regard.”

Scotland head coach Frank Hadden said: “My concern is the Scotland team and our preparations for international fixtures.

“Clearly, the consequence of this ruling is that we have not achieved the access to players that we have been at pains to secure.

“I am personally disappointed but will continue to communicate and work with the 17 clubs our international squad play for to ensure that our players are prepared as best as possible for the challenges that lie ahead.”

Coming into effect on January 1, the new Regulation 9 will also restrict players from the northern hemisphere to 11 internationals per season and those from south of the equator to 12.

As well as returning players to clubs for up to five days during their two-week preparation period, Six Nations countries will also be forced to send them back for the fallow week during the tournament.