Rugby: McGeechan in role of tour saviour

Scotland rugby coach Ian McGeechan hopes he has nipped in the bud a potential player boycott of his team's New Zealand tour next month.

McGeechan has been acting as a mediator between Scotland's disgruntled England and French-based potential tourists and the Scottish Rugby Football Union after the union scrapped a retainer system and introduced one based on appearances and results.

In typical Scottish style, it seems no one bothered to discuss the change of payment system with the players, who countered by hiring London lawyer Bart Campbell. But Scottish union chief executive Bill Watson refused to talk to him.

The situation is being monitored by the New Zealand Rugby Football Union, with director of rugby services Bill Wallace contacting Scottish union secretary Bill Hogg on Wednesday night.

Wallace said he was happy with Hogg's assurances that a full-strength squad would make the trip. Scotland were fully aware of the New Zealand reaction to England's grossly under-strength squad in 1998.

"Hogg is confident a full-strength team will be sent. They understand their obligations and they're a good union to deal with," he said. "There's nothing more we can do at this stage. We have their assurance."

Wallace said New Zealand would be most disappointed if the tour party were weakened.

"Overall we're pretty confident there won't be a problem," McGeechan said yesterday. "A lot of it is just paper talk. The problem is not really about money, it's more about the union communicating with the players.

"It wasn't something that I was involved in, but I am now. I'm pretty sure that the issue will be resolved. It would be crazy to come without a full-strength squad. And that's not anticipated at all."

McGeechan is acting as a mediator between the parties.

"Having been involved in a club before coming back into the international scene, I've experience of both sides," he said.

"So hopefully the players have a bit of trust in me. That's a key to the whole issue."

McGeechan said a provisional squad for the trip had been put together, and he hoped to confirm it by the middle of next week.

As far as he knew, the only players not available for the trip were the injured John Leslie and Stu Grimes, and Kenny Logan, who declared a month ago that he would not be available for the trip.

- NZPA