No standing around for finals fans

THERE will be no standing around the Murrayfield pitch at tomorrow’s Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools Cup finals after the SRU in consultation with the schools involved decided against adopting the successful Edinburgh Rugby innovation that has brought supporters closer to the action.

Edinburgh supporters can now stand on the wide track on the West Stand side of the pitch and behind both goals, a move introduced this season in an effort to lessen the remoteness of the fans’ experience in the vast Murrayfield stadium.

However, the idea will not be continued this weekend when supporters of Edinburgh Academy, George Watson’s College and Dollar Academy pitch up for the under-18 and under-16 schools cup finals.

An SRU spokesman confirmed: “Over the past five years the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools Cup final has established its very own unique atmosphere boasting noisy crowds of between 5,000 and 6,000 each year. This is expected to grow this year with the under-16 and under-18 final being on the same day. Scottish Rugby [the SRU] are proud of the fantastic atmosphere and noise that these fans create and believe that the pitchside standing area, part of Edinburgh Rugby’s strategy to boost crowd numbers and the match-day experience, is not imperative to boosting the already well-established day out that the schools cup provides.

“Furthermore, the area will be kept clear for the schools pipe bands providing the match-day entertainment.”