THE SOTSMAN REPORTS
DAVID FERGUSON CHIEF RUGBY WRITER ([email protected])
SCOTTISH Rugby Union officials have turned the spotlight on to the governing body's member clubs after 55,000 seats were left empty during last weekend's Scotland v Romania international at Murrayfield.

Ticket sales ahead of Saturday's match against the Pacific Islanders are not much more encouraging, with just 15,000 sold so far despite seats being available from prices of just £10 each.

The lack of interest has been blamed on a full programme of club rugby clashing with the international fixtures. The SRU revealed yesterday that clubs - once the bedrock of the game - have bought less than 400 tickets for each of the games against Romania and the Pacific Islanders.

The third and final match of the autumn series, against Australia a week on Saturday, has generated considerably more interest. Over 50,000 tickets have been sold for the Test with the Wallabies on 25 November - but this fixture does not clash with club matches.

SRU officials are trying to rebuild a healthy relationship with clubs, having spent several season at odds with the amateur side of the game. However, the underlying message is that the clubs' decision to schedule a full programmes of fixtures on the same weekends as Scotland's first two autumn internationals has damaged Murrayfield attendances and reduced income. Gordon McKie, the chief executive of the SRU, said that a plea for "common sense" when compiling the domestic fixture calendar had received a "disappointing response".

Just over 12,000 attended the international with Romania last weekend, the worst crowd for an autumn Test match at Murrayfield since Scotland started to play a series of matches at this time of year. Only four years ago, when Romania were the first visitors during Scotland's three-match autumn series, the equivalent fixture attracted almost three times as many spectators with an attendance of 34,413.

The SRU's marketing can be questioned and the wider malaise in rugby supporting, evidenced by the meagre crowds at professional and club games, is a key factor at this time of the year. But that merely highlights how the SRU needs the support of clubs when it comes to maximising the revenue from Test matches which keeps the sport alive.

The SRU stated yesterday: "Following the disappointing turnout at last Saturday's Scotland v Romania game ... [the SRU] will be carrying out a further review of its club fixtures programme and examining ways to build up increased loyalty from supporter groups."

McKie added: "[The SRU] doesn't decide the date of club fixtures; the clubs decide for themselves. We asked for some common sense when confirming our autumn Test fixture dates and times, but sadly got a disappointing response. However, I am encouraged the 'Competitions Commission' is again addressing these issues."

Most clubs are also unhappy about the clash, but wish to protect the dwindling numbers of supporters that they attract. Most declined the union's suggestion to move games to Fridays or Sundays, because this would only reduce attendances and thus takings.

Scheduling league games at the same time as internationals also rules out another sizeable contingent of Murrayfield regulars - the players themselves.

Kenny Hamilton, chairman of Glasgow Hawks and a member of the SRU's performance forum, admitted: "We played last Saturday afternoon and will do so this weekend because there was simply no viable alternative. No-one has an interest in Sunday rugby, be it players, supporters, or sponsors, and it's unreasonable to expect players to travel long distances on a Friday night and get home at two in the morning.

"I'm a rugby supporter and I want to support the international side, and I know that the majority of people at club games on Saturday would rather not be in conflict with the international. We need discussion and compromise, on both sides. If we have to play on these weekends, the SRU may have to think about allowing clubs to start at 2pm and have Scotland kicking off at 5pm."

How low can crowds go
Full internationals played at Murrayfield Stadium:

9,463: Uruguay (World Cup), 1999
11,471: Argentina, 1999
12,128: Romania, 2006
14,491: Argentina, 2005
14,718 Samoa, 2005
15,661: Samoa (World Cup), 1999
17,593: Spain (World Cup), 1999
26,691: Canada, 1995
26,756: Italy, 1999
27,000: Zimbabwe, (World Cup), 1991
28,425: Romania, 1995

This article was posted on 16-Nov-2006, 08:17 by Hugh Barrow.