Scotland contracts crisis denied

Borders go into the new season amid uncertainty

Scottish Rugby has insisted that its players are enthusiastic about the new season despite suggestions that half have yet to sign new contracts.

The SRU admits that some players and agents have concerns about some clauses and that negotiations are continuing.

But a spokesman told BBC Sport: "There have been very amicable discussions and we will sit down further with them.

"There is a real enthusiasm and buzz about the place and the players are very positive about the coming season."

The spokesman played down suggestions of serious problems among Borders, Edinburgh and Glasgow players less than three weeks before the start of the Celtic League season.

"Our contracts had not been reviewed for a number of years and negotiations will continue after the Scottish Rugby Players Association has its meeting this week," said the SRU spokesman.

We can't do any more than try to get out and win our games Glasgow captain Jon Petrie

"There have been concerns expressed from players and agents, but we are not at a stage where a resolution is an urgent necessity.

"We take player welfare very seriously, but these are discussions between employer and employee and will remain private."

It was reported that SPRPA chief executive Jim Hay had expressed concerns about contracts after meeting with senior figures from the equivalent organisations of England, Ireland and Wales.

Borders players have specific concerns after the SRU's new chief executive, Gordon McKie, appeared unwilling to guarantee the survival of three professional sides while it battles to reduce an overdraft said to be around £23m.

Glasgow captain Jon Petrie insists Scotland's three professional teams will not be under pressure to justify their existence this season.

"It's no secret that Scottish rugby has had its difficulties for a while, but things are starting to get sorted out on the business front and, with that, the playing front, so we're hoping for a very successful season," he said.

"The future of the three professional clubs doesn't concern me at the moment.

"All we can do really is get on with the job of playing and leave the business side of things to the guys who know how to do it best.

"We can't do any more than try to get out and win our games.

"There's always pressure to go out and win your matches, but in the past couple of seasons we've been in something of a transitional phase.

"But the transitional stage only lasts so long and you have to come through that and start putting points on the board and getting good results and it's time that we did that this season."