Up for the cup as rugby plans start

Published on Thursday 4 December 2003 00:00

AUSTRALIA’S hosting of the Rugby World Cup - which captured the imagination of a global TV audience - has prompted Edinburgh’s civic leaders to launch early plans for 2008, when Scotland jointly hosts the tournament with France.

Senior councillors want the city to embrace the sport as much as Australia did and ensure Edinburgh enjoys maximum exposure in four years’ time.

Street parties, pop concerts and giant screens showing matches to open-air crowds are all likely to be among the ideas considered.

Murrayfield is hosting three major matches at the next tournament, which, although it is being officially staged in France, will see games being shared with Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

The last time the Rugby World Cup came to Edinburgh - four years ago, when Wales were the official hosts - there was widespread criticism about poor crowds at Murrayfield for the five games that were held and the lack of atmosphere in the city.

In sharp contrast, the authorities in Australia received huge praise for how the game was marketed, the crowds that poured into stadiums for games featuring unfashionable teams, and the special events that were put on outside the rugby grounds.

A spokesman for the SRU said it was vital the council was involved in planning the third biggest sporting occasion in the world, after the football World Cup and the Olympics.

He added: "We’ll be very happy to speak to the council. There were a number of impediments to the last tournament being a success when it was in Edinburgh, such as kick-off times and ticket prices, but lessons have obviously had to be learned."

The SRU’s commercial director, Phil Anderson, added: "We’ll be starting work to prepare for the next World Cup within the next few months. We’re planning to liaise with the Scottish Executive, Event Scotland and the city council to ensure they get behind the event.

"We’ll leave no stone unturned to get the city and the whole country to buy into the concept of the World Cup being held here. The key is that we start at an early stage."

Graham Birse, the head of marketing with Edinburgh and Lothians Tourist Board, said: "Clearly, lessons have to be learned from the last World Cup. Australia has shown how to stage a world-class event."