Rugby: Sevens threat

This weekend's Emirates IRB rugby sevens could be the last to be held at Murrayfield for some time.

But what will astonish many is that moves are afoot to take the two-day tournament not to the ancestral home of sevens at Melrose but along the M8 to Glasgow and the 5000- capacity Scotstoun Stadium recently redeveloped at a cost of 18 million.

The switch could take place possibly as early as next year.

SRU president Ian McLauchlan, a former Glasgow rugby captain who lives in Edinburgh, is reported as saying: "There are moves afoot and I am very excited about the prospect.

"The series has got to be in Glasgow before the (2014) Commonwealth Games."

Today, the SRU reacted with cautioun to suggestions that Scotstoun could be a future venue and put the emphasis firmly on seeking to retain the sevens for Scotland when a four-year agreement with the International Rugby Board expires shortly.

An SRU spokesman said: "Scottish Rugby is working closely with various stake holder to retain the IRB Sevens in Scotland beyond 2011.

"This week's event promises to be another great occasion with many millions watching on television putting Edinburgh firmly on the global map.

"We have received excellent support from our partners including the Scottish government and will continyue to liase closely with the IRB in respect of retaining the event for further years."

Implicit in these remarks is the fact that Scotland faces a battle to retain the sevens which hope to attract a crowd of 30,000 over the two days and contrasting with 100,000 who attended last weekend's Twickenham event.

As sevens prepare to enter the Olympics in 2016, increasing numbers of emergent countries are casting eyes on hosting one of the coveted grand prix slots with television coverage likely to be a key factor in determining future allocations.