Scottish Rugby Union

The Scottish Rugby Union plc is the official title of the governing body of rugby union in Scotland, usually referred to as the Scottish Rugby Union (often abbreviated to SRU) or just as "Scottish Rugby". Phil Anderton was the Chief Executive Officer (resigned January 2005), and on July 14th 2005 a new Scottish Rugby Board was created. Allan Munro is the new chirman, with Fred McLeod (deputy), Tom Inglis and Brian Kennedy alongside as non-executive directors. The head coach of the Scotland national rugby union team is currently Frank Hadden, who was appointed following the departure of Matt Williams (rugby coach) after the 2004/2005 season.

Related Topics:
Rugby union - Phil Anderton - Scotland national rugby union team - Matt Williams (rugby coach)

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The Scottish Football Union (foreunner of the SRU) was founded in 1873 and was a founding member of the International Rugby Board in 1886 with Ireland and Wales. England joined in 1890.

Related Topics:
1873 - International Rugby Board - 1886 - 1890

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The SRU owns Murrayfield Stadium, which is the main home ground of the Scottish national team, though in 2004 international rugby games were played at Hampden Park in Glasgow and McDiarmid Park in Perth, as part of the SRU's campaign to reach out to new audiences outside the traditional rugby areas.

Related Topics:
Murrayfield Stadium - Scottish national team - 2004 - Hampden Park - Glasgow - McDiarmid Park - Perth

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When the Heineken Cup was suggested SRU officials were concerned that Scottish club sides could not compete against the best teams from France and England and that centrally funded so-called 'super-district' teams might do better.

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The four traditional districts—the South (renamed Border Reivers), Edinburgh, Glasgow and the North & Midlands (rebranded as Caledonia Reds)—were given the go-ahead to take part in Europe. For the first two seasons, players were still released to play for their clubs in domestic competition, but eventually the districts became full-time operations.

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Then financial difficulties—the SRU's high debt, partly as a result of the redevelopment of Murrayfield—called for retrenchment. After two seasons, financial difficulties forced the SRU to merge the four teams into two. Edinburgh merged with the Border Reivers to form a team to be known as Edinburgh Reivers. Glasgow merged with Caledonian to form a team to be known as Glasgow Caledonian.

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The Borders was resurrected in 2002 and joined the second season of the Celtic League. As a consequence Edinburgh Reivers became simply Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow became Glasgow Rugby. In 2005, all three teams adopted new names. The Borders readopted the name Border Reivers, Edinburgh became Edinburgh Gunners, and Glasgow became Glasgow Warriors. Caledonia will be re-established when the SRU believe financial circumstances permit.

Related Topics:
The Borders - 2002 - Celtic League - Edinburgh Gunners - Glasgow Warriors

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