Rugby stadium tries drinks test

The sale of alcohol inside Murrayfield has been banned

Rugby fans will be able to enjoy a tipple inside Edinburgh's Murrayfield stadium for the first time since 1980.

Scottish Rugby has been given the green light to allow fans at the weekend's BT cup finals to drink beer or wine from a marquee in the east stand.

The SRU have been in negotiations with the Scottish Executive over lifting a ban which dates back 24 years.

The licence to sell alcohol is for one day only but officials hope it will help their bid to have the ban lifted.

Responsible manner

The restriction was brought in as part of a crackdown on drinking following crowd trouble at the Old Firm Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park in 1980.

Scottish Rugby Union chief executive Phil Anderton confirmed fans will be able to drink alcohol inside Murrayfield for BT Cup Finals day on Saturday.

Mr Anderton said: "We are striving to allow our supporters to enjoy alcohol within the stadium and we are working in tandem with the police and the licensing authorities to achieve that objective in a safe and responsible manner.

"I am delighted our supporters will have the opportunity to enjoy a drink responsibly on Saturday, which will add to their enjoyment of a day that is very much a highlight of the club season.

Our supporters will act responsibly and we hope that Saturday will help our case to introduce a change in legislation to allow alcohol at international matches. Phil Anderton SRU chief executive

"Our supporters will act responsibly and we hope that Saturday will help our case to introduce a change in legislation to allow alcohol at international matches.

"We will evaluate how Saturday goes but our intention will be to look to provide similar facilities for our supporters at the Scotland v Barbarians match on Saturday 22 May."

At international matches at Murrayfield legislation currently prohibits the sale of alcohol within the ground and authorities have not been keen to allow drink at other events.

Scottish Rugby is campaigning to have the legislation relaxed.

BT Cup Finals Day features three matches as the climax to the Scottish club rugby calendar.

The final of the BT Bowl between Hawick YM and Perthshire is followed by the final of the BT Shield between Glasgow Accies and Berwick.

The final of the BT Cup between Glasgow Hawks and Dundee HSFP is the last match of the day.