Continued success of our clubs will come at a price

WITH Edinburgh in the European Challenge Cup final and Glasgow Warriors expected to qualify for the Pro12 play-offs, this season is shaping up to be the most successful ever for Scottish professional club rugby.

It has created a feelgood factor within our game after the embarrassment of a Six Nations whitewash and wooden spoon.

But not even t hi s te r m’s achievements can disguise the fact that both Edinburgh and Glasgow are in danger of being left behind as t heir English and French counterparts increasingly flex their financial muscles.

Big transfers have already been confirmed after the World Cup for All Blacks stars Dan Carter (Racing Metro), Ben Franks (London Irish), Ma’a Nonu (Toulon) and Australian trio Adam Ashley-Cooper and Sekope Kepu (Bordeaux) and James Horwill (Harlequins).

Even the Irish clubs seem flush with cash after Munster’ s Paul O’Connell was offered a two-year deal worth £550,000 in a bid to prevent him signing for Toulon. The SRU, who f und Edinburgh and Glasgow to the tune of £4.2million a year each — plus a bit extra for any ‘marquee player’ — will tell you they have been doing well enough recently by encouraging Scottish talent, so why bother going for a big overseas name?

A fair point, but it ignores the sea change in northern hemisphere rugby this year where money is doing more and more of the talking. The Scots risk being left in the shade if they don’t strengthen with the best, regardless of nationality.

Edinburgh yesterday si gned uncapped Irishman Michael Allen (pictured) from Ulster on a twoyear deal to replace Tim Visser — but it is hardly like for like and not one to get the fans excited. Brian O’Driscoll said this week that English rugby needs a few Roman Abramovich-style investors to turn their clubs back into a European force. Who must he think Scotland’s teams need? Si r Richard Branson and the Saudi Royal family combined? The transfer salary cap in England is due to rise to £5.5m from £5m from next season. That is dwarfed by the £8.6m which France’s Top-14 clubs can spend.

Scotland’s salary cap for next season has yet to be announced but it won’t be anywhere near £5.5m. Probably closer to this year’s £4.2m.

No team can stand still in terms of development and, unless the SRU increase the transfer budget to both Alan Solomons at Edinburgh and Gregor Townsend at Glasgow, so they can bring in some top overseas players like clubs in England and France, it is going to be tough to emulate this season’s success.