The appalling state of the pitch at Murrayfield Stadium has Edinburgh Rugby seeking an alternative for their next home game, Scottish Rugby has admitted.
Groundstaff are doing their “utmost to rehabilitate the playing surface” and to “ensure the pitch is in sufficiently robust health to host our two home fixtures in the 2014 RBS 6 Nations Championship”.
Scotland host England in the annual Calcutta Cup game on Saturday February 8 and then welcome France on Saturday March 8, but the state of the pitch after an infestation of nematode worms caused the root system to be damaged has caused increasing concern.
The Six Nations games will not be switched due to existing ticket sales, but Scottish Rugby will move the National Youth and Girls’ finals from the main pitch later this spring and Edinburgh’s next home games against Ospreys on February 28 and against Ulster on March 21 may end up at alternative venues as remedial work which includes spraying the pitch with garlic to counteract the nematodes and planting sugars to stimulate growth continues apace.
The treatments have been taking a positive effect, according to a Scottish Rugby spokesman, but they accepted that the condition of the pitch was unacceptable.
“The playing surface at Murrayfield has been regarded with justifiable pride for many years, and therefore the current condition is a matter of considerable concern,” he said.
The pitch was reseeded over the summer, but the nematode infestation and poor weather “had placed considerable stress on the playing surface”.
Saturday’s Heineken Cup match between Edinburgh and Perpignan was the sixth game at Murrayfield in just over a month.
“We appreciate the esteem in which Murrayfield is held and how inspiring it is for many young Scots to be able to fulfil their childhood ambitions of playing on the international pitch,” continued the spokesman.
“We also remain committed to Murrayfield being the most widely accessible international rugby ground in the northern hemisphere, but we are not immune to the challenges of climate.
“As a result we seek the understanding of players and spectators who may find their opportunity to play on and spectate at the international pitch is restricted while we rehabilitate the playing surface.
“Longer-term, we are considering a number of potential solutions to return the pitch to its much-lauded status.”
The Youth and Girls’ finals may be switched to the back pitches at the stadium complex, including the 3G all-weather surface, but Edinburgh’s needs would require an alternative venue.
The pro-team have used Murrayfield as their regular home venue since 2004, after spending two seasons at Meadowbank Stadium. Prior to that they played home fixtures at the Myreside ground of George Watson’s College in the capital.
A return to a regular club rugby venue like Myreside or nearby Meggetland, home of Boroughmuir, is the most likely alternative for Edinburgh given that Meadowbank is no longer in a suitable state of repair to host a match.