Borders sevens success 'unlikely'

Mr Parker said he thought the event would not come to the Borders

The leader of Scottish Borders Council believes there is little chance of the IRB rugby sevens being staged in the Borders in future.

David Parker made his comments after the final leg of the competition at Murrayfield at the weekend.

A bid had been made to stage the event at the "home" of sevens rugby - the Greenyards in Melrose.

The Scottish Rugby Union rejected the venue for this year but suggested it might reconsider in 2008.

However, Mr Parker said he felt the success of the event at Murrayfield meant there was little chance of a move to the Borders.

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"I don't see that there is any likelihood that we are going to see them coming back to the Borders and looking at Melrose," he said.

"I wouldn't hold out an awful lot of hope that we are going to be looking at Melrose in future.

"I would suggest that - given what has been said in the past and what has been said over the weekend - I don't think it is likely they will be coming knocking on the door of the Borders for this event."

The SRU has a five-year deal to stage the showcase event.