Wainwright weighs in on amateurism debate

Revelations by Kevin Campbell, the former Hawick flanker, that he is paid £800 a month to play club rugby in France has moved on to a higher plane with an admission from Rob Wainwright, a member of Scotland's back row in Paris tomorrow, that: "I can't call myself an amateur player."

While Campbell's claims that payments are rife across the Channel have prompted the International Rugby Board to seek an explanation from the French federation, Wainwright, interviewed in the latest issue of Rugby World, published today, says: "I don't exactly get a lot of money but I get a sum from the Scotland team sponsors, Famous Grouse.

"Now tell me the difference between Famous Grouse pumping money into the Scottish Rugby Union who then pay us, which happens at the moment, and just Famous Grouse cutting out the middle man and paying us direct? As far as I am concerned, I can't call myself an amateur player when I get paid, even in an indirect fashion.

"It's pretty clear that some kind of European League for clubs will happen sooner or later and the notion appeals to me a great deal. But if you are going to get international clubs with high-profile players involved, it is pretty obvious that they will get paid for their services. I know I'd like to get paid for playing. Who'd say no for £400 or £500 a game?"

Wainwright's words further underline the increasingly flawed regulations relating to amateurism, which are to be discussed in full at next month's meeting in Bristol of the IRB.