Scottish clubs will lose vital revenue if the boycott goes ahead

English and French clubs have withdrawn from next season's Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup.

"The future viability of the professional game in Scotland could be jeopardised," read a SRU statement.

"If there is no European competition in the 2007-08 season, Scottish Rugby's net revenue will reduce by over £2m."

The SRU are mired in a debt of more than £20m and recently announced that the Border Reivers are to be disbanded at the end of this season.

The English and French clubs have been embroiled in a row over shareholding and voting rights in European rugby.

The SRU has a duty to act in Edinburgh's best interests Edinburgh Rugby Ltd

The SRU statement continued: "Scottish Rugby holds the European competition in the highest regard and recognises the considerable contribution to the event's success made by clubs from France and England.

"Scottish Rugby representatives will take part in next week's meetings with ERC in Dublin and will seek to clarify how the decision will impact on all other remaining participants from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and Italy.

"Scottish Rugby is pleased to learn that the RFU will be taking further legal advice in the next few days before reaching its final decision over its position.

"Scottish Rugby will consider matters further after next week's Dublin meeting and an approach to the IRB is likely."

Meanwhile, Edinburgh Rugby Ltd have also voiced their concerns.

"The SRU has a duty to act in Edinburgh's best interests and to consult on these matters and we look forward to hearing their views and subsequent proposals in order to safeguard the professional game in Scotland," said a statement by Scotland's one privately-owned professional team.

"In the event that the tournament does not take place then we need to consider how best to replace the significant loss of revenue associated with the Heineken Cup and agree a coherent fixture list that will fill the void of redundant matches, which has already been compounded by the announcement to close the Border Reivers.

"We await the outcome of next week's meeting and clarification on how yesterday's announcement will impact on Edinburgh Rugby."