SAINTS: Euan says 'never on a Sunday'
Saints could be without world-class prop Euan Murray for the final two Heineken Cup group games after his decision not to play on Sundays.
The devout Christian has decided he can no longer play on the Sabbath, and that could mean Saints being without Murray for the home clash with Perpignan and the trip to Munster.
Both games' dates have yet to be finalised by the ERC, but the demands of Sky Sports could easily see the vital pool one matches moved to Sundays.
Saints' Heineken Cup clash with Perpignan is set for January 15, 16 or Sunday 17 and their pool finale against Munster could be on January 22, 23 or Sunday 24.
And if Saints get through to the quarter-finals of Europe's top club competition, that could be moved to a Sunday as well.
Saints have no games scheduled for Sundays in the Guinness Premiership for the rest of the season, but Jim Mallinder's men are handily placed in the top four and if they reach the play-offs, one of the semi-finals will be played on a Sunday.
It is understood Murray has been in consultation with the club's chaplain Reverand Jim Winning about the decision not to play on Sundays.
Winning was refusing to comment yesterday along with the club and Murray, but the player's decision has also ruled the 29-year-old out of Scotland's opening Six Nations clash with France, which falls on a Sunday.
A Scotland Rugby Union statement said: "Head coach Andy Robinson has been in discussions with Euan for a number of months and is aware of Euan's desire to not play on Sundays. We very much respect Euan's wishes and support him. Euan continues to be a valuable member of the squad."
Murray's Christian faith intensified after nearly dying on the pitch in 2005, when he was knocked out and went into a seizure playing for Glasgow.
The British Lion, who is a member of Reynard Way Evangelical Church in Obelisk Rise, has played on Sundays in the past for Saints and Scotland, but he admitted this year that playing on God's day of rest troubled his conscience.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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