Scotland tour success sees fans snap up Test tickets

Published on 29/06/2012 02:36

SCOTLAND’s successful summer tour, which saw them win three Tests out of three in Australia, Fiji and Samoa, has paid immediate dividends, with the SRU reporting early ticket sales for the EMC Tests this autumn at treble the rate for the corresponding fixtures in 2010.

Supporters, buoyed by the success of Andy Robinson’s side, have already snapped up more than 16,000 tickets in the first couple of days for the matches against New Zealand and South Africa at Murrayfield and Tonga at Pittodrie.

Tickets only went on sale on Wednesday morning, and the bulk of sales saw fans take advantage of the £35 pass which guarantees admission for the matches against the All Blacks and Springboks.

By yesterday, sales for the New Zealand match on 11 November stood at 8,799, for South Africa on 17 November at 5,880 and Tonga 1,600 – a total of 16,279. Two years ago that was just 5,585 – 3,301 for New Zealand, 1,664 for South Africa and 888 for Samoa, who also visited Pittodrie as Tonga will do on 24 November.

Dominic McKay, director of communications and public affairs at Scottish Rugby, said: “It’s clear there is a huge appetite for these games, particularly off the back of a successful summer tour.

“We had a queue outside our ticket office before they even went on sale which just shows the demand for these games.

“I’d like to thank all the supporters who have been coming along to buy in person and logging in to get their tickets online. The team really appreciate the kind of heartfelt support that a Scottish crowd gives them whether in Edinburgh or Aberdeen.

“For the first time we’ve introduced a pass for the EMC Tests, a ticket for the All Blacks and Springboks games for as little as £35, which, we believe, is tremendous value.”

Meanwhile, Scottish Rugby will announce two changes to the board at its annual general meeting tomorrow. The union says they will enhance the board’s “expertise and knowledge across rugby and the business world”.

Donald Emslie, former executive director of SMG, retires from the board at the agm on Saturday 30 June and will be replaced by Colin Grassie, a member of the group executive committee of Deutsche Bank and CEO in the UK. Born in Glasgow, Grassie also sits on the board of the British Bankers’ Association and brings a wealth of business experience.

Grassie is also a former triathlete and sits on the Advisory Board of Winning Scotland, the foundation that encourages young people to achieve success through sport. He is also chair of the Development Trust of the Glasgow School of Art and sits on the Board of Governors of Fettes College in Edinburgh.

Former international hooker Gordon Bulloch has reached the end of his second term of office on the board and also stands down with effect from this year’s agm. He will be replaced on the board by outgoing president Ian McLauchlan.

Announcing the changes, Scottish Rugby chairman, Sir Moir Lockhead, said: “The board considered that the vacant positions should be filled with individuals with rugby and business experience.

“We are delighted that both Ian and Colin join our board and bring with them their considerable expertise. I’d also like to thank Donald and Gordon for their hard work and the insight they brought.”