The Scottish Rugby Union issued a chilling warning today that professional rugby north of the border could die as a result of the Anglo-French clubs' decision to boycott the Heineken Cup.
Scottish rugby is already in a perilous state, some £20million in debt, and last week the SRU was forced to close the Borders as a professional entity.
The absence of European competition — both the Heineken Cup and the European Challenge Cup — is expected to cost Scottish rugby £2million and the SRU fear the consequences could be fatal.
"The French and English clubs' decision to withdraw from the two levels of European competition run by ERC will have a significant rugby and financial impact on all participating countries, and especially for Scotland," read the SRU statement.
"It is clear that if there is no European competition in the 2007-08 season, Scottish Rugby's net revenue will reduce by over £2million, some of which is shared with Edinburgh Rugby Ltd.
"The future viability of the professional game in Scotland could be jeopardised if a successful outcome cannot be reached from these negotiations."
Facing a potential doomsday scenario, the SRU plan to take the matter to the International Rugby Board.
The boycott stems from the Rugby Football Union's refusal to hand 50 per cent of its shareholding and voting rights to Premier Rugby, the English Premiership clubs' umbrella body.
Premier Rugby say an agreement to that effect was reached with the RFU last October, although Twickenham bosses categorically deny it.