Mark Dodson, the Scottish Rugby Union chief executive, has confirmed that the Union is to table a bid to bring next year's Heineken Cup final to Edinburgh.
The final was due to have taken place at the Stade de France, but the French Rugby Federation have confirmed that they no longer wish to stage the event. It is understood that their withdrawal is due to an ongoing dispute with the management of the Paris stadium.
Murrayfield last hosted a Heineken Cup final in 2009, when Leinster beat Leicester. Prior to that, the only previous staging of European club rugby's most prestigious event at the Edinburgh ground had been in 2005, when Toulouse pipped Stade Francais. It was next due to stage the final in 2017.
"The economic impact into Edinburgh is huge and it is a great advert for rugby, whoever's playing," said Dodson.
It is understood that the SRU bid already has the backing of the Scottish Government and EventScotland. When the final was staged in Edinburgh in 2009 it generated around £120m in economic benefit to Scotland.
Wales have confirmed they will also be making a bid to host the final. It is thought that Twickenham could enter the running as well.
The SRU and BBC have agreed a two-year extension to the current deal to televise Scotland's autumn internationals. The arrangement was due to conclude this year, but will now run until 2016.
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