As a result of rearranged fixtures following postponements earlier in the season, in finishing the regular league season in 4th place, we were required to play our play-off semi-final against Ayr RFC at Millbrae next weekend, March 14-15.
As you will know, this is the final weekend of the Six Nations when many players and club members are booked to travel to support Scotland against Ireland. As no club matches were scheduled, a stag weekend has also had a noticeable impact.
In addition to those sidelined by injury, we have 24 first team squad members unavailable next weekend and we have asked the SRU to reschedule the match, and provided a new schedule proposal which would allow the completion of competitions before the end of April.
This requires the agreement of the clubs involved, and unfortunately our suggestion has not been accepted and it is with great reluctance and sadness that owing to concerns about player safety we have decided to forfeit the tie.
With only 19 fit players available, there was a real possibility that 2As players would be selected, and we strongly feel it would be grossly irresponsible and dangerous to ask what are effectively social players to take the field against the runaway league winners with a team including recent professionals.
This season, three matches have clashed with the Six Nations games which was always going to affect player availability, and which could easily have been avoided.
We will therefore be making robust representations to the SRU that in future clubs should not be forced to play important games on Six Nations weekends.