EDINBURGH and Scottish Rugby's success in hosting two Challenge Cup finals since 2000 has been credited with playing a major part in bringing next Spring's festival of rugby league to Murrayfield.
That's the verdict from many of the Super League clubs who will play seven matches on May 2 and 3 as part of a "magic" weekend after the event was switched from Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
Since the announcement earlier this week, praise for t
he move has flowed.
Wigan Warriors chairman Ian Lenaghan says: "We voted to go to Edinburgh. Wigan have got some good memories from Murrayfield from the 2002 Challenge Cup final victory over St Helens, and I think it's great that we're taking this event there from next year.
"Edinburgh is a great city, it has twice the number of hotel rooms as Cardiff and the stadium is close to the city centre."
Warriors captain Sean O'Loughlin adds: "We are delighted to be heading up to Murrayfield. It is a magnificent venue and I'm sure the weekend in Edinburgh will be a huge success."
Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington welcomed the switch, saying: "From our experience in 2000, while we didn't enjoy the result (Rhinos lost to Bradford Bulls) it was a very enjoyable weekend.
"I think it will be well received by the fans. Edinburgh has got a lot of attractions for rugby league supporters and the city is very keen to stage rugby league events. All the clubs received a presentation and there was more or less unanimous support."
Even those clubs who have still to appear at Murrayfield are enthusiastic.
Castleford Tigers chief executive Richard Wright says: "This is another exciting announcement for Super League, Edinburgh is a superb city to visit. The improved travel and accommodation will give greater flexibility for the fans. I feel that this is bound to result in bigger attendances for this major Super League event."
Super League are predicting 70,000 fans will pass through the turnstiles paying £25 for a two-day ticket or £15 each day.
Wright added: "It's good to spread the game to new areas and I think Edinburgh has shown a great hunger to stage the event up there. I'm sure Tigers fans will travel in numbers to support it."
Wakefield Wildcats general manager Francis Stephenson said: "A change is good. As a club we've enjoyed our time in Cardiff, certainly this year when we put on a good score against Castleford.
"But it's part of the natural progression of the event to go somewhere else and Scotland's as good as anywhere.
"It is a bit more fan-friendly in terms of amenities, hotel rooms and so on, so it's good for the fans and I think it'll freshen it up."
Warrington Wolves captain Adrian Morley echoed those views: "It's great to have Murrayfield back as a rugby league venue. "
The task now is for Scottish Rugby's marketeers to deliver, as noted by Hull KR chairman Neil Hudgell. He said: "The venue at Cardiff was a bit too big for the crowd that went there in the last two seasons.
"Edinburgh seems to be a more pro-active venue and the people at Murrayfield promise to market it better and sell more tickets. I think the fans will enjoy a whole new experience."
The full article contains 559 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
