Scottish Rugby Union president to attend Lanarkshire roadshow

Jan 20 2010 by Kenny Smith, Rutherglen Reformer

SCOTTISH Rugby Union president Jim Stevenson will attend a Lanarkshire roadshow next month.

Rutherglen man Jim, former president of Cambuslang Rugby Club, will host the latest stop of the national tour at Hamilton Rugby Club on Wednesday, February 10.

The Laigh Bent club missed out on the original run of roadshows, but Hamilton Sports Council stepped in to invite Mr Stevenson and other representatives to the club.

Starting at 7.30pm the SRU president will present the governing body’s policy before opening the meeting to a vigorous question and answer session to finish.

Hamilton Sports Council will invite other sports councils, including Cambuslang and Rutherglen, while Hamilton will contact other Lanarkshire clubs to ask if they would like to attend the event.

Hamilton Rugby Club president Donald Woodrow said: “While Jim Stevenson is a regular visitor to Laigh Bent we are delighted that we have been asked to host this event.

“The roadshow is another example of the efforts Jim has made during his presidency to communicate with the grassroots rugby community, and the fact that we now have it coming to Hamilton is great for everyone involved in Lanarkshire sport.

“This gives local clubs and others interested in the game the opportunity to hear at first hand from Jim and his SRU colleagues what their strategy is for developing the game and also give people a chance to raise issues in the question and answer session.

“As affiliates to Hamilton Sports Council we are delighted to assist in bringing this event to Hamilton and look forward to welcoming individuals from across Lanarkshire on February 10.”

Meanwhile, Jim has called on clubs and supporters throughout the country to give Scotland the best possible chance of success in their opening RBS 6 Nations Championship match against France at Murrayfield next month.

More than 56,000 tickets have been sold for the game on Sunday 7 February - Andy Robinson’s first Six Nations match as Scotland head coach.

That figure is already above the actual attendance when France were last defeated at Murrayfield in 2006 and demand from fans is high on the back of the Autumn Tests where Scotland recorded victories over Fiji and Australia.

The lowest priced tickets for the French match - at £30 for adults and £15 for children – are already sold out. Now around 10,000 tickets remain starting at £50 for adults and £25 for children and they are selling fast.

Now Jim has challenged supporters to fill the stadium. He said: “I think there’s a real buzz about the Six Nations and it would be a terrific boost for the players if they were to be greeted by the Murrayfield roar from a capacity crowd.

“Visiting clubs around the country, I know how much support there is for the Scotland team and I’d encourage everyone who can to get along to Murrayfield for the French game.”

Tickets can be bought via the Scottish Rugby website www.scottishrugby.org; via our 24-hour credit card hotline (a booking fee applies) 0844 335 3933, or during office hours Monday-Friday from the Scottish Rugby Ticket Centre, Roseburn Street, Edinburgh. No tickets are sold on match day.