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January 28, 2005

Hawks furious at tug-of-war over Colin Shaw

Posted by Editor on January 28, 2005 01:11 PM | No comments | Print | E-mail author

Colin Shaw has found himself stuck in the middle of another row in Scottish rugby
Hawks officials have accused Glasgow of "behaviour verging on blackmail" over the call-up of Colin Shaw for Saturday's Celtic League match with Ospreys at Hughenden (ko 7.45pm).

In today's Herald, Hawks claim they were initially told by phone that they could not postpone their key Premiership match with Boroughmuir as the dispensation protocol introduced at the start of the season to promote co-operation between pro and club sides had suddenly been scrapped.

Due to injuries and international call-ups, Glasgow had originally called up three players from Hawks, prompting Hawks to ask for Saturday's game to be postponed. After being given a promise by the SRU's John Thorburn that they would only be required to lend Glasgow two players, Hawks agreed to release Steve Swindall and Fergus Thomson.

Hawks claim that Colin Shaw was subsequently contacted by a member of Glasgow's coaching staff who told him his future interests would be better served by playing for Glasgow on Saturday, instead of Hawks.

The saga took another twist last night when Colin was offcially brought into the squad as cover for Gareth Maclure, who had failed a fitness test.

Secretary of Hawks, Hugh Barrow, said earlier: The conduct of the Glasgow pro team coach has been disgraceful and an example of the problems blighting rugby in Scotland at the moment.

"Colin was put in an impossible position because on the one hand he wants to be loyal to Hawks, and on the other he aims to make a future for himself in the sport at professional level.

"As far as we are concerned, the tactic was verging on blackmail, and this sort of back-door approach is completely unacceptabe and a gross betrayal of trust."

Hugh added: "We have bent over backwards to assist the pro team week after week, and we certainly don't expect this sort of thing to happen.

"Ian McGeechan visited our club as part of his road-show aimed at calming the political waters and he stressed the need to build bridges between teh various groups withing the game.

"But this kind of behind-your-back behaviour knocks down bridges. Is it any wonder there is precious little trust left in Scottish rugby."

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