EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS REPORTS
Irvine draws on positives
GARY HEATLY
OUTGOING SRU president Andy Irvine today backed Scottish club rugby to gain strength in the coming year.

The Heriot's legend was at Goldenacre to launch the Morisons Solicitors Challenge Cup, formerly known as the Mansell Cup.

This season the competition features Heriot's, Watsonians, Edinburgh Accies, Boroughmuir, Dundee, Aberdeen, Glasgow Hawks and Falkirk and will take place on Saturday, August 18.

Speaking at the draw Irvine said: "There's a lot of negativity in Scottish sport but, having watched a lot of club rugby in the last couple of years, I feel the guys are playing at a really high standard. Sometimes it is too easy to be down on the game and look for scapegoats but some of the young talent which is coming through from the club game can only help Scotland go forward in the future."

Irvine is also confident that the five Edinburgh clubs who will be playing in Premier One in the coming season can all put up a good show. Last season Currie won the Premier One trophy and Irvine believes Heriot's, Watsonians, Edinburgh Accies and Boroughmuir will all put out strong sides over the coming months.

Commenting on the new sponsorship of the event Rob Flockhart, chairman of Morisons Solicitors, said: "As Morisons Solicitors continue to develop we were looking to an opportunity to be involved in a project which would give something back to the community. I am therefore delighted that we can help this important rugby day go from strength to strength and it is great that so many local clubs are involved.

Draw:
Pool A: Glasgow Hawks, Falkirk, Dundee, Heriot's.

Pool B: Edinburgh Accies, Boroughmuir, Aberdeen Grammar, Watsonians.

This article was originally posted on 27-Jun-2007, 15:18 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 27-Jun-2007, 15:19.