The decision to take the Scotland V Tonga Autumn Test match to Rugby Park, Kilmarnock was an unqualified success.
The people of Kilmarnock were delighted to welcome - in pubs, eateries and in the street - the 16,000 rugby fans who arrived to enjoy a great day.
When one considers the success of the Commonwealth Games Sevens Tournament, Glasgow Warriors support being the third biggest in the city and the healthy turnout for the Tonga game, it seems that rugby is enjoying a surge in support in the west of Scotland. On top of all this, you can buy a beer at the match, the crowds aren't segregated, kids under 12 get in for free on Saturday, and there were no arrests.
The Scottish Rugby Union has taken test matches to Perth and Aberdeen in the past, with great success. They should continue this policy and allocate one of the Autumn Tests to somewhere outside Edinburgh each year. Murrayfield is the place for Six Nations games and matches against countries that will pull in big crowds. Other parts of Scotland should be permanently used for matches against Romania, Samoa, Tonga, the US, Canada, and so on. These matches are a great opportunity to spread the fun, ethos and economic benefits that rugby can bring to other parts of Scotland.
Alan Carroll,
24 The Quadrant,
Clarkston, Glasgow.
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