Tag: Sport

Rugby World Cup kicks off today

RUGBY WORLD CUP 2019

20 September – 2 November in Japan

The ninth Rugby World Cup gets under way in Japan today. It’s the first time the tournament will be held in Asia, but the usual countries are expected to dominate the event.

Scotland’s campaign gets underway on Sunday, and their opening fixture couldn’t come any tougher – we face the team who currently top the world rankings, Ireland.

The result of this game could well determine just how far Scotland progress in the tournament. Victory, and the likelihood of topping the group, would see Scotland enjoying an easier run to progress in the tournament – in theory at least!

Scotland’s best RWC performance was a semi-final appearance back in 1991 and we would do well to repeat that achievement – elimination at the quarter final stage would seem more realistic.

Who will win it? There is currently no one dominant force in world rugby and the tournament is more open than it’s ever been, with five or perhaps six teams capable of winning the Web Ellis Trophy.

World number one Ireland, South Africa, Wales and current holders New Zealand all have sound claims and Australia can never be written off.

And of course, there’s England …

Russia and Japan get the tournament under way this morning – and I confidently predict that neither of these nations will be lifting the trophy on 2nd November!

Blind cricket match will challenge MSPs to find out what it’s like with sight loss

It’s just not cricket!

Except it is. Visually impaired cricket, played between a team of MSPs and journalists and people with varying degrees of sight loss at Forresters High School today. Continue reading Blind cricket match will challenge MSPs to find out what it’s like with sight loss

New Edinburgh Rugby stadium good to go

Edinburgh Rugby can confirm that The City of Edinburgh Council has now granted a Building Warrant to enable the club to begin construction on a purpose-built 7,800 capacity stadium on the back pitches of BT Murrayfield.

Edinburgh has worked closely with both Scottish Rugby and The City of Edinburgh Council over recent months on the detail of the plans. This outcome allows construction on the stadium to start in Autumn this year, with a view to it being ready for the club play in its new home from the beginning of the 2020/21 season.

Until then, the club will continue to play home fixtures on the main international pitch at BT Murrayfield for the entirety of the 2019/20 season whilst the stadium is constructed.

This is underpinned by the coming season’s Season Ticket Membership sales having already reached record levels, as supporters continue to back Richard Cockerill and his squad ahead of the new campaign in growing numbers.

 

Edinburgh Rugby Managing Director, Douglas Struth, said: “While this has clearly been a difficult process and more drawn-out than we had envisaged, we are delighted to have now been granted a Building Warrant by The City of Edinburgh Council.

“This now allows us to move forward with what is clearly a pivotal and game-changing project for the club.

“I’d like to thank all those who continue to work proactively within the project as we now move into a build-phase, as well as The City of Edinburgh Council for concluding the Building Warrant process with us.

“I’d also like to thank the club’s supporters for their continued patience throughout this period and for buying Season Ticket Memberships in such numbers.

“With Season Ticket Memberships having already hit a record high ahead of the 2019/20 season, coupled with today’s hugely positive news regarding the stadium, I believe this is a really exciting time to be an Edinburgh Rugby supporter and I would urge our fans to get behind the team over the coming season as we prepare to move into our new home.”

Rugby star issues health warning ahead of World Cup

  • The upcoming 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan is a once in a lifetime event with over 1.8 million fans expected to attend
  • Most fans will not be aware of deadly conditions such as Japanese Encephalitis, Tick Borne Encephalitis and Rabies Enchephalitis which occur across south-east Asia and the Pacific Islands.
  • Rugby legend, John Bentley is supporting a campaign encouraging fans to be fully prepared in plenty of time before the games

With a month to go until the Japanese Rugby World Cup 2019, both fans and players will be in full preparation mode, with the event expected to attract the largest ever number of foreign fans. More than 600,000 of the 1.8 million available tickets expected to be held by international fans making the journey to Japan. Continue reading Rugby star issues health warning ahead of World Cup

Heart Research UK grant to develop Scottish players for the World Dwarf Games

The Scottish region of the Dwarf Sports Association (DSA) has been awarded a £5,000 grant from Heart Research UK to provide a variety of sporting activities across Scotland for children and adults with dwarfism. Continue reading Heart Research UK grant to develop Scottish players for the World Dwarf Games

High achiever: Edinburgh climber is first Briton to complete Alpine Trilogy

Edinburgh climber Robbie Phillips, 29, has become the first Briton to complete the ‘Alpine Trilogy’, a trio of the hardest rock climbs in Europe. Robbie achieved his childhood dream with his ascent of the final climb in the trilogy ‘Des Kaiser neue Kleider’ last week. Continue reading High achiever: Edinburgh climber is first Briton to complete Alpine Trilogy

Foreign Office issues Rugby World Cup travel advice

Award-winning UK-based Japanese comedian Yuriko Kotani has teamed up with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office to produce some special advice for fans travelling to the Rugby World Cup in Japan this autumn.

Yuriko’s humorous tips are designed to help the 50,000 or more British fans expected to attend the tournament to support Wales, Scotland, England and Ireland to avoid pitfalls. Continue reading Foreign Office issues Rugby World Cup travel advice

Scottish Sports Stars Help Children’s Charity Smash £100k Target

Celtic and Hearts FC captains Scott Brown and Christophe Berra are just two of a number of sports stars who have helped an Edinburgh children’s charity to raise a staggering £112,000. Continue reading Scottish Sports Stars Help Children’s Charity Smash £100k Target