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Scottish Rugby statement: Government decision on Murrayfield fans

(Photo by PA)

Scottish rugby officials have exhaled a massive sigh of relief following the confirmation that they will be allowed to welcome a full capacity crowd to Murrayfield when Scotland kick off the Guinness Six Nations with a home match versus England on February 5. Sports events had been limited to taking place behind closed doors in recent weeks following a tightening of pandemic regulations by the Scottish Government. 

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Having watched the Welsh Government last week decided to maintain its 50 spectators limit on outdoor sports attendance, throwing into jeopardy the plan for the Principality Stadium to host a full capacity crowd versus Scotland on February 12, there were fears that the Scottish Government would adopt a similar stance as the Welsh and restrict fans.  

However, there has been a change of heart in Scotland, prompting relief that the SRU can now finalise plans to cater for a crowd of 67,000 when the Six Nations starts in a few weeks’ time. 

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A statement read: “Scottish Rugby has welcomed the confirmation from the Scottish Government that attendance limits on outdoor events will be lifted from next week.

“This will enable the forthcoming Guinness Six Nations matches to go ahead and we continue, as planned, to host England and France at BT Murrayfield, starting with the Calcutta Cup on Saturday, February 5.

“We will continue to support public health measures being implemented in Scotland and work to ensure required mitigations on those attending matches for our professional and national teams are put in place.”

Much improved Scotland are viewed as a promising outside bet to lift the title under coach Gregor Townsend as they won three of their five matches in the 2021 Six Nations tournament, defeating England and France away, while they also enjoyed a victory over the touring Australia in November.   

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B
BeamMeUp 20 minutes ago
The Springboks have something you don't have

A few comments. Firstly, I am a Bok fan and it's been a golden period for us. I hope my fellow Bok fans appreciate this time and know that it cannot last forever, so soak it all in!


The other thing to mention (and this is targeted at Welsh, English and even Aussie supporters who might be feeling somewhat dejected) is that it's easy to forget that just before Rassie Erasmus took over in 2018, the Boks were ranked 7th in the world and I had given up hope we'd ever be world beaters again.


Sport is a fickle thing and Rassie and his team have managed to get right whatever little things it takes to make a mediocre team great. I initially worried his methods might be short-lived (how many times can you raise a person's commitment by talking about his family and his love of his country as a motivator), but he seems to have found a way. After winning in 2019 on what was a very simple game plan, he has taken things up ever year - amazing work which has to be applauded! (Dankie Rassie! Ons wardeer wat jy vir die ondersteuners en die land doen!) (Google translate if you don't understand Afrikaans! 😁)


I don't think people outside South Africa fully comprehend the enormity of the impact seeing black and white, English, Afrikaans and Xhosa and all the other hues playing together does for the country's sense of unity. It's pure joy and happiness.


This autumn tour has been a bit frustrating in that the Boks have won, but never all that convincingly. On the one hand, I'd like to have seen more decisive victories, BUT what Rassie has done is expose a huge number of players to test rugby, whilst also diversifying the way the Boks play (Tony Brown's influence).


This change of both style and personnel has resulted in a lack of cohesion at times and we've lost some of the control, whereas had we been playing our more traditional style, that wouldn't happen. This is partially attributable to the fact that you cannot play Tony Brown's expansive game whilst also having 3 players available at every contact point to clear the defence off the ball. I have enjoyed seeing the Boks play a more exciting, less attritional game, which is a boring, albeit effective spectacle. So, I am happy to be patient, because the end justifies the means (and I trust Rassie!). Hopefully all these players we are blooding will give us incredible options for substitutions come next year's Rugby Championship and of course, the big prize in 2027.


Last point! The game of rugby has never been as exciting as it is now. Any of Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Argentina, Scotland, England & Australia can beat one another. South Africa may be ranked #1, but I wouldn't bet my house in them beating France or New Zealand, and we saw Argentina beating both South Africa and New Zealand this year! That's wonderful for the game and makes the victories we do get all the sweeter. Each win is 100% earned. Long may it last!


Sorry for the long post! 🏉🌍

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