Reivers Axed In Scottish Rugby Reshuffle

Magners League rugby team Border Reivers will be disbanded at the end of the
season after the Scottish Rugby Union decided it was unrealistic to continue to
run three professional sides.

The demise of Reivers, which had struggled to compete in the Magners League,
leaves Scotland with only two professional teams in Glasgow Warriors and the
privately-funded Edinburgh.

The decision to axe the Reivers team came after a lengthy review by the SRU
into elite rugby in Scotland and will see Glasgow receive extra financial
backing.

Chairman Allan Munro said: ‘The decision has not been an easy one. But we
believe the Reivers’ closure and strengthening Glasgow Warriors will go some way
to improving high-performance rugby in Scotland.’

Several Borders players will be transferred to the Warriors for next season
but a number have been told to find new clubs as part of the cost-cutting
process.

The SRU, which has debts of more than £23m, also stated that the Glasgow
Warriors were likely to be moved away from their current Hughenden base in the
west end of Glasgow.

Scottish domestic rugby has hit its lowest ebb in recent weeks with a number
of players moving to sign contracts with English, French and Irish clubs.