Scots give 56 full time offer

THE Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) has offered full time con tracts to 56 players as part of its plan to introduce professional rugby into Scotland.

Players who accept full time employment will receive a basic salary ranging between £20,000 and £50,000 per annum. The offers will go out to 44 players based in Scotland and 12 playing in England.

There will be additional match fees and a win bonus scheme covering the major club competitions and international matches.

The majority of the contracts are for three years, although a small number are for one year only, recognising the importance of continuity and building a strong squad towards the Rugby World Cup 99.

The contracts have been overseen by Ken Crichton, the SRU's staffing convenor. He described the level of remuneration as "realistic and fair, in accordance with the principle of trying to keep out best players here in Scotland."

However, the SRU recognises that, certainly in the medium term, some players will not wish to accept full time contracts, and will therefore offer part time contracts, with match fees and win bonuses, to those players.

"This is a most exciting time in Scottish rugby, with our top players now being asked to treat their sport as their full time profession - with all, the added commitment that will involve, and which will have a direct and beneficial act on skills and fitness levels," said Crichton.

The SRU say they will reveal in, due course the names of the players who accept contracts but will not disclose details of individual deals.

. The TV committee of the new four nations group will meet in a mood of despair tomorrow, with" English officials having shown no public compromise over the broadcasting row.

England's expulsion from the Five Nations is expected to be confirmed early next month when the full committee of the four nations - Wales, Scotland, Ireland and France - come together.

The four are incensed that England are still standing by their independent deal with Sky and they are completing plans for their own home and away tournament to replace the 1997 Five Nations.

Vernon Pugh, chairman of the Welsh RFU, said: "The four nations TV committee will receive an update on recent discussions with the RFU.

"We will be taking a decision on how to progress to the first four nations championship. To organise such an event we need as much time as possible, having given England all the summer to swing back into the fold."

The pessimism of the four other unions was deepened when RFU president John Richardson sent a message to all 2,000 clubs defending the TV deal.