West of Scotland scrum half Fraser Stott, who shone during Glasgow's European Cup campaign last season, has turned down the chance to remain a full-time rugby player.

At the age of 29, Stott, whose wife Angela gave birth to son Aidan early last season, explained that it was the need to provide security for his family that lay behind his decision to reject the offer to play for the newly formed Glasgow Caledonian side.

''I would love to play another year at that level,'' he said yesterday. ''It was great to be part of that sort of rugby.

''I thoroughly enjoyed myself last season. But what I am looking for now is a way of continuing to play rugby at as high a level as possible but getting a career underway.''

Keen to remain at Burnbrae, Stott, who won an award last year as the outstanding Scottish performer among the three districts involved in the European Cup, has engaged in talks with West of Scotland, but he has not yet committed himself to the club.

He also said that he could identify closely with the observation of Bristol RFC chairman Arthur Holmes, whose club has just gone into receivership, that players are bored with the full-time training regime and would be better off playing part-time.

''I'm not looking to get paid for playing rugby,'' Stott explained. ''That wasn't the reason I started playing the game. I only played because I enjoyed it.

''But what I'm now looking for is a club that can help me start a career and, ideally, that would involve playing at West.''

From his own point of view, he did not rule out the possibility of playing European Cup rugby, but he doubted whether the policy being pursued by the SRU would allow for that. Others, who already had lucrative parallel careers, have been offered part-time deals with super districts, but Stott believes that the main intention is to get as many players as possible on full-time contracts.

Making it clear that there is ''nothing sinister'' behind his situation, he also made it clear that, even if he returns to the ''amateur'' ranks, he would be more than happy to be considered for Glasgow Caledonian in an emergency. However, he did note: ''If I agreed terms with a club, I suppose there might be problems about availability for super district matches.''

Glasgow Caledonian coach Keith Robertson was understanding of Stott's position. ''He told me he wasn't going to take the contract and I respect that he's looking to the future and that a year's contract wouldn't suit him,'' said Robertson, who has also lost the services of centres David Officer, to Harlequins, and James McLaren, to French side Bourgoin.

''I was only involved with Fraser for a couple of games last season but understand he played very well in the European Cup matches.

''It is disappointing to lose a player of his ability, but we have two other half-backs in our squad. However, having lost three players, we are looking at who we need to replace them.''

Robertson said he could not comment on whether any consideration was being given to offering Stott part-time conditions.

Glasgow Caledonian administrator Bill McMurtrie said last night, however: ''We have accepted that Fraser will not be taking a contract with us.''

qWorkington rugby league club have signed two Scottish back-row forwards for the remainder of their season.

However, Dundee HSFP's Gregor Hayter and West of Scotland's Chris Houston are expected to return to Scotland in time for the forthcoming Premiership season. Said Workington coach Rob Tew: ''The pair are likely to play a couple of games for our reserves initially.

''But I have seen enough strength and talent in them to suggest they will be in our first team very quickly.''

qDanger of domino effect

qVictim of professionalism

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