Rugby League sides hail Edinburgh as host city

Published on Saturday 19 July 2008 11:21

EDINBURGH and Scottish Rugby's success in hosting two Challenge Cup finals since 2000 has been credited with playing a major part in bringing next Spring's festival of rugby league to Murrayfield.

That's the verdict from many of the Super League clubs who will play seven matches on May 2 and 3 as part of a "magic" weekend after the event was switched from Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

Since the announcement earlier this week, praise for the move has flowed.

Wigan Warriors chairman Ian Lenaghan says: "We voted to go to Edinburgh. Wigan have got some good memories from Murrayfield from the 2002 Challenge Cup final victory over St Helens, and I think it's great that we're taking this event there from next year.

"Edinburgh is a great city, it has twice the number of hotel rooms as Cardiff and the stadium is close to the city centre."

Warriors captain Sean O'Loughlin adds: "We are delighted to be heading up to Murrayfield. It is a magnificent venue and I'm sure the weekend in Edinburgh will be a huge success."

Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington welcomed the switch, saying: "From our experience in 2000, while we didn't enjoy the result (Rhinos lost to Bradford Bulls) it was a very enjoyable weekend.

"I think it will be well received by the fans. Edinburgh has got a lot of attractions for rugby league supporters and the city is very keen to stage rugby league events. All the clubs received a presentation and there was more or less unanimous support."

Even those clubs who have still to appear at Murrayfield are enthusiastic.

Castleford Tigers chief executive Richard Wright says: "This is another exciting announcement for Super League, Edinburgh is a superb city to visit. The improved travel and accommodation will give greater flexibility for the fans. I feel that this is bound to result in bigger attendances for this major Super League event."

Super League are predicting 70,000 fans will pass through the turnstiles paying 25 for a two-day ticket or 15 each day.

Wright added: "It's good to spread the game to new areas and I think Edinburgh has shown a great hunger to stage the event up there. I'm sure Tigers fans will travel in numbers to support it."

Wakefield Wildcats general manager Francis Stephenson said: "A change is good. As a club we've enjoyed our time in Cardiff, certainly this year when we put on a good score against Castleford.

"But it's part of the natural progression of the event to go somewhere else and Scotland's as good as anywhere.

"It is a bit more fan-friendly in terms of amenities, hotel rooms and so on, so it's good for the fans and I think it'll freshen it up."

Warrington Wolves captain Adrian Morley echoed those views: "It's great to have Murrayfield back as a rugby league venue. "

The task now is for Scottish Rugby's marketeers to deliver, as noted by Hull KR chairman Neil Hudgell. He said: "The venue at Cardiff was a bit too big for the crowd that went there in the last two seasons.

"Edinburgh seems to be a more pro-active venue and the people at Murrayfield promise to market it better and sell more tickets. I think the fans will enjoy a whole new experience."