SRU propose new competiton
January 30, 2002

The Scottish Rugby Union have hinted that a new club competition involving as many of Scotland's professionals as possible could be on the cards for as early as next season.

The Scotsman reports that an SRU delegation has been visiting clubs individually over the past couple of months, "floating the idea" of playing the league championship straight through, and then following it up with another tournament in which those Borders, Edinburgh and Glasgow pros available would play for the clubs to which they are affiliated.

"The clubs have so far only been consulted on a one-to-one basis, and the next step is for them to meet as a group," said John Thorburn, the union's domestic game manager. "We're only talking about Premiership Division 1 clubs at the moment, and it would be an integrated competition involving professionals. The SRU would be keen on it if it fitted in with everyone's plans."

If the current league was played every Saturday throughout the autumn, it could be over by the end of the year. Many clubs favour such a continuous programme, arguing that it makes it easier to attract larger crowds, and also provides greater financial stability.

With the league over, a new tournament could then run parallel to the Six Nations, and ensure regular rugby for those pro players left out of the full Scotland, A, under-21 and students' line-ups.

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