BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Scottish | Councillors challenge Reivers axe

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Last Updated: Thursday, 29 March 2007, 15:31 GMT 16:31 UK

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Councillors challenge Reivers axe

Scottish Borders Council are opposing Border Reivers closure

Councillors in the Borders are opposing the decision by the Scottish Rugby Union to close down Border Reivers.

The SRU announced on Tuesday that the Reivers will be disbanded at the end of the current season.

At a meeting on Thursday, the Scottish Borders Council approved an emergency motion arguing the sport was integral to the region's identity and culture.

"It is woven into the social fabric of the Borders," they said. "It is a generator of trade and income."

The councillors added: "It attracts tourists and visitors to the Borders from across the world.

Rugby is woven into the social fabric of the Borders

Scottish Borders Council

"It is part of what creates the world-wide affinity with the Scottish Borders and through rugby, the Scottish Borders has contributed hugely to Scottish life."

Councillors said they deplored what the Scottish Rugby Union had done and its failure to consult in advance.

They are now seeking talks with SRU officials, Scotland's Sports Minister and other organisations involved as a matter of urgency.

Edinburgh Rugby were quick to condemn the governing body's decision to axe the Border Reivers and have circulated a statement criticising the SRU for failing to consult themselves and Glasgow.

The statement said: "Edinburgh Rugby believes that the SRU does have an obligation to consult with us on any matters which may affect commercial interests in respect of the Magners League and ERC competitions."

The Edinburgh club said they had invested in the professional game in Scotland on the basis that the sport would be developed and nurtured throughout the country.

The statement continued: "We were encouraged at that time by similar views from the SRU and entered into an agreement which we believed to be in association with the SRU.

"Edinburgh Rugby believes that the proposal to invest in the Border Reivers in October 2006, to which we received a one line response from the SRU, was both genuine and credible."

Edinburgh said they will now be seeking a meeting with representatives of the SRU regarding the implications for them of the Reivers' imminent closure.