McRae calls for an international rescue

Scotland rugby league coach Shaun McRae yesterday demanded moves to reverse the trend of top players joining rugby union after warning that the 13-man game was losing ground to its rival code.

McRae, who also manages Super League side Hull, said: 'To take the game back to the M62 corridor means it will become extinct.

'Not tomorrow, but there will be a process of dying out. I'm not prepared to put a time scale on it but I think it will happen unless something is done.'

Aussie McRae, who has coached Australia, New Zealand and this year Scotland in the past three World Cups, said all rugby union had over league to attract such players as Iestyn Harris, Keiron Cunningham and Jason Robinson, was its international scene.

He added that he opposed the new Super League format - Wigan will play St Helens four times next season - and that franchises must be given to a Welsh and French club to boost revenue.

The former Wigan coach backed the idea of a Six Nations-style competition, but rejected calls for the home nations to be scrapped in favour of a stronger Great Britain side. 'We have a wonderful spectator sport,' he insisted.