By Giancarlo Rinaldi South of Scotland reporter, BBC Scotland news website

The fight has begun to stop the Reivers being disbanded

They were a ruthlessly inventive bunch of families who made their living across the Scotland-England border.

And they were not afraid to deal with anyone who got in their way in the most brutal manner.

Nowadays, of course, we live in more placid times but the decision to disband the Border Reivers rugby team has still provoked anger in the region.

The Scottish Rugby Union announced last week that the club was to be shut down at the end of the season.

It has sparked reaction, recrimination and, most recently, an 11th hour salvage bid.

The Border Reivers Action Group and Scottish Borders Council have urged supporters of professional club rugby in the area to protest on Friday at Murrayfield.

The rugby public has not got behind pro-team rugby and attendances have been poor, compared to other home union countries SRU statement

They have described the move to axe the club as "one of the most misguided and unpopular decisions in the history of the game".

SBC has passed an emergency motion "deploring" the act.

A rescue plan will be presented to the SRU on Thursday with the protest then planned at the Magners League match between Edinburgh and Newport Gwent Dragons the following night.

The SRU has backed Chief Executive Gordon McKie

In truth, the death of the Borders professional club was one which was widely foretold.

Facing huge debts the SRU was forced to take action to address the situation.

Unfortunately, two of its biggest decisions have hit the Scottish Borders where rugby holds such a special place.

Firstly, it dropped plans to hold part of the IRB World Sevens in Melrose.

Then came the announcement that the Borders professional team would be shelved.

Sparked criticism

Both have sparked criticism of the way the game is being run at national level.

It is criticism which has stung the SRU which has been quick to defend its Chief Executive Gordon McKie.

In the past, it has said, too many decisions were taken "on emotional grounds for the short-term".

Low crowds and poor displays were cited for disbanding the Reivers

Now it believes it has put in place a structure which is in the best interests of the game.

Its wide-ranging review of the sport since it went professional in 1995 concluded it had not been successful in Scotland.

It pointed the finger at one main issue - under-funding.

"The rugby public has not got behind pro-team rugby and attendances have been poor, compared to other home union countries," said an SRU statement.

The board concluded that, without additional funding, it would have to "concentrate its resources and give one of its wholly-owned pro-teams a better chance of success".

Greater potential

They decided that team would be the Glasgow Warriors, rather than the Border Reivers.

The SRU cited the greater population base, greater potential to attract crowds, stronger economic platform and wider sponsorship opportunities for the west of Scotland side.

It makes for a compelling argument, especially in the face of debts previously estimated at �23m.