OBVIOUSLY prompted and encouraged by the success this season of the European Cup, concerted attempts are now being made to set up a European competition for universities.

The competition could embrace as many as 20 entries drawn from the home countries and the European mainland and would be run on lines similar to those that operated this season in the European Cup.

University rugby has suffered considerably in the new, professional era of the game and if the new competition gets off the ground lit would provide a major and welcome boost for the game at university level.

Discussions have taken place between England and Ireland on the concept and the Irish and Scots, who meet university level later, this week, will have further discussions on the development.

Meanwhile, the Scotland under 21 side to meet Ireland at Stradbrook on Friday includes four of the team that lost 22-24 to Ireland at the Watsonians ground, Myreside, in Edinburgh last season. Ireland won the match with a dropped goal in the closing stages from outside half Fergal Campion to maintain a 100 per cent record at this level against the Scots.

The four survivors in the Scotland team are centre Cameron Murray, who played on the right wing last season, hooker Gordon Bulloch, second row Guy Perrett and open side flanker and captain Graham Dall. Blind side flanker Tammas McVie and prop Duncan Massey were replacements for last year's match.