Rugby Union - by Craig Hill

The Scottish Rugby Union is threatening to close down Edinburgh, according to the club's owner Bob Carruthers.

He told BBC Scotland the SRU's chief executive Gordon McKie will pull the plug on funding if Edinburgh goes ahead with court action against the Union.

Carruthers says the SRU owes Edinburgh a six-figure sum in promised revenue, a claim rejected by the governing body.
"They have defaulted constantly," said Carruthers, who is contemplating court action to recover the funds

Edinburgh ordered 12 players from Scotland's World Cup training squad to return to the club while talks were being held.

On this issue, SRU secretary Graham Ireland said: "We have now written to Edinburgh Rugby on two occasions, reminding them of their obligations to release players for Scotland duty in line with the IRB's requirements.

"Regrettably we have now been forced to refer the matter to the independent disciplinary body for consideration. It is now out of our hands.
"The Disciplinary Panel will independently determine the rights and wrongs of this case and sanction Edinburgh Rugby appropriately.

"It is a great pity that we have had to resort to this in order to protect the interests of the Edinburgh players selected for the Scotland training camp and to give our national team its best chance for success in the World Cup, which begins in September."

However, Carruthers insists Edinburgh have not broken any promises and the players will return to the international squad on 13 July.

"We are not withholding the Scotland players," he said.
"There is a very, very clear agreement signed by two sets of lawyers which sets out when the players have to be released."

....Larkham does not expect to get caught up in the dispute between the Scottish Rugby Union and his new club Edinburgh, where he will play after the World Cup.

"The contract I signed was on the understanding I would play the World Cup," Larkham said.

"Until I get over there on the first of November they are not controlling me."