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Murrayfield has stolen a march on the Premiership and will allow some fans attend PRO14 next weekend
By Online Editors
Officials in Scotland are celebrating after Murrayfield was given permission to become first professional rugby venue in the UK to allow a small number of spectators to attend a match since the outbreak of the coronavirus restrictions.
The Guinness PRO14 returns this weekend following its five-month suspension due to the pandemic and while no spectators are allowed attend this Saturday's Glasgow versus Edinburgh game at Murrayfield, the way has been cleared for some fans to attend the August 28 rematch between the teams.
This development puts Scotland ahead of the Gallagher Premiership on the road to normality as matches in England have so far gone ahead behind closed doors.
A statement issued on Friday read: "Scottish Government has supported Scottish Rugby’s plans which will make the game the first professional rugby match in the UK to welcome spectators since the Covid-19 lockdown in March.
"Scottish Rugby’s chief operating officer Dominic McKay said: “Scottish Rugby is delighted that a limited number of spectators will be in BT Murrayfield on Friday, August 28, to watch the Guinness PRO14 match between Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors.
"We are pleased our work with the Scottish Government will ensure that players, support staff and fans will be covered by a comprehensive event plan for everyone’s safety including physical distancing requirements.
"Scottish Rugby would like to thank government ministers and officials who have helped us make this happen, and our own colleagues who pulled together a robust operational plan for the match.
"We hope that our experience and learnings from a live spectator event next Friday can help all of Scottish sport, and the wider events industry restart.”
The fixture is designated as an Edinburgh home match and ticketing information will be issued by the club early next week. Richard Cockerill's side are currently leaders of Conference B in the PRO14 and are targeting securing semi-final qualification against rivals Glasgow, the third place team in Conference A.
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Latest Comments
The winner breaks into the (key) top 6 in the World rankings and locks the other out (Australia will lead Scot by 1.6 points if they win). Australia won't get a chance to improve until next years RC so this match is vital. Scotland must hold the line for their part.
Australia are obviously well capable of beating Ireland but with accumulating fatigue becoming a factor I expect an all out performance from Australia tomorrow with Ireland viewed as a bonus.
It will be hopefully a cracker but this is the type of match that Scotland must start winning to take that step up that they crave.
Go to commentsAgree.
Ireland are off their feet at the majority of their attacking rucks. Its so common that commentators don't even notice it. We hear about "clear outs" and "clean outs", which don't exist in the Laws (the correct word is "binding"), and the obligation to "endeavour to stay on your feet" is nowhere to be seen.
Ireland is not the only team to adopt this coached flopping and diving at attacking rucks, but its clearly part of their quick ruck ball strategy.
No need for law changes here. We just need refs to award penalties when players don't endeavour to stay on their feet.
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