Edinburgh Rugby "will host Guinness Pro12 matches at Myreside," the home of Premiership rugby side Watsonians, starting from next season," according to Craig Fowler of the Edinburgh EVENING NEWS.
The club "will take up residence between January and May next year" before playing the entire '17-18 campaign at the ground. Edinburgh announced the switch after negotiations between the Scottish Rugby Union and George Watson’s College "were successful." George Watson’s College is itself "developing plans to broaden its sporting provision and invited Edinburgh Rugby to be part of the project." The current time-frame does not go "beyond the next 18 months, though the SRU and Edinburgh hinted that the partnership could become permanent if successful." Edinburgh Rugby Managing Dir
Jonny Petrie: "This is a hugely positive step for Edinburgh Rugby and we are delighted at the opportunity to play our home matches at Myreside. This is about building a strong future for the club at a home ground in the city that better suits our needs and improves the matchday experience for fans and players alike" (EVENING NEWS, 5/10). The BBC wrote Myreside's capacity "is to be increased to around 6,000 with temporary stands."
Edinburgh "used the venue in the early years of professionalism and last played a match there during the 2015 Six Nations." Work will now start "on bringing the facilities" up to pro-level standards. Petrie: "Having a smaller venue, with the crowds we are getting just now - and being able to grow that, will be much better for us" (BBC, 5/10).
