The withdrawal of English and French clubs from European competition threatens the future of all professional rugby in Scotland, officials of the governing body admitted yesterday.

Having assessed the implications of the boycott by French National League (LNR) and Premier Rugby in England (PRL), a statement was issued from Murrayfield in which a spokesperson spoke of the decision's significant impact on all participating countries, especially Scotland, before concluding apocalyptically: "The future viability of the professional game in Scotland could be jeopardised if a successful outcome cannot be reached from these negotiations."

There had been widespread belief throughout the sport since Serge Blanco, the LNR president, first threatened this boycott, that common sense would prevail, since clubs and provinces stood to lose £28m from participation fees and prize money alone.

This dispute over demands for clubs to have a say in running the European tournaments has, however, become the front-line in a battle for control of the sport.

It threatens not only the status of England's Rugby Football Union and the French Federation, but every governing body in rugby and positions have become entrenched.

That is because English and French clubs' spending power means their capacity to contract the world's leading players is comparable with the way the Kerry Packer's circus seized control of cricket in the mid-seventies.

This looks like the end-game in the club v country conflict that could do untold damage to the international game in a sport which, unlike football, has always been paramount in the eyes of all except club owners.

The SRU has a serious issue to address in that regard over the position of Brian Kennedy, a member of its board, but also the owner of English champions Sale Sharks, which, as a club, has been hugely influential in forming the PRL view.

Contingency planning is in place to ensure the SRU can fulfil its promise to provide additional resources to Glasgow Warriors next season, even if the European Cup does not go ahead.

Yesterday's statement clearly acknowledged that, if this boycott continued longer term, the withdrawal of all support for the professional game would have to be considered.