Wainwright denies talks with Packer

Rugby Union: Edinburgh Academicals 15 Watsonians 28

ILL LEITH

Edinburgh Academicals 15 Watsonians 28

Rob Wainwright has dismissed as "rumour-mongering" a report that Scotland's top players have met a representative of the Kerry Packer organisation keen to "sell" them plans for a world-wide club competition.

The secret get-together supposedly took place in the wake of Scotland's 15-15 draw with Western Samoa when the talk, allegedly, was of contracts around three times what is being offered by the Scottish Rugby Union.

If anybody should know it is Scotland's captain, but at least any such project might spare him the decision of which club to join when he returns home. Wainwright is keeping his cards close to his chest, but if the Army physician opts against rejoining Edinburgh Academicals he will have to draw on his best bedside manner.

A defeat by Watsonians consigned them to relegation for the first time in history; their coach, David Sole, will learn this week whether he faces a disrepute charge for publicly criticising a referee, and on-field disciplinary problems are mounting. An as yet unnamed forward is at the centre of a complaint by Melrose that he was responsible for allegedly jeopardising the sight of their prop Mark Ross, with a punch which went unseen by the referee.

Against Watsonians, the match official had no doubt that the hooker, Kenny Day, was stamping when Edinburgh led 15-3 just before half-time, and sent him off.

Rob Wainwright has also been linked with Watsonians, whose win improved their prospects of playing in Europe next season should Scotland enter club sides as opposed to districts. Watsonians remain capable of finishing second behind Melrose, whose 15-15 draw at Stirling requires them to win at home to Gala on Saturday to take a fifth title in seven years.

Edinburgh Academicals: Tries Burns 2; Conversion Duncan; Penalty Duncan. Watsonians: Tries Stanaway, Garry, G Hastings; Conversions G Hastings 2; Penalties G Hastings 3.

Edinburgh Academicals: S Burns; C Newton, C Murray, M Duncan, G McKinlay; S Dow, P Simpson; J Fayers, K Day, D Graham, S Murray, M McVie, D McIvor (capt), M Waite, R Hoole.

Watsonians: G Hastings; F Henderson (capt), S Hastings, A Garry, J Kerr; D Hodge (S Carse, 62), J Weston; M Stanaway, S Farland, A Kittle, C Mather, S Grimes, G Hannah, C Brown, J Macdonald.