Reivers days numbered

The decision will leave Scotland with just two professional rugby teams - the Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Gunners - and was taken with a view to improving Scottish performances in both the Celtic and European competitions.

The SRU financially supports the Reivers and the Warriors and additional funds will now be made available to the Warriors next season.

A number of Reivers players will also transfer across to the Warriors.

"To maintain pro team rugby in Scotland in any meaningful way, the SRU could not provide long-term support to both its existing teams, Border Reivers and Glasgow Warriors, in their present form," the SRU said in a statement.

"It recognised that the funding available for these two teams has been spread too thinly, resulting in them struggling to improve their standing in the Magners League and especially the Heineken Cup.

"Hence today's decision to concentrate resources in one team, Glasgow Warriors."

The Edinburgh Gunners, who are financed by brothers Alex and Bob Carruthers, will continue to operate independantly of the union next season.

The Reivers are currently 12 points adrift at the bottom of the Celtic League table, with just two wins from 15 games this season.