Alcohol may be on way back at Murrayfield

Scottish Rugby Union chief executive Bill Watson is confident negotiations with the Scottish Executive will lead to a successful relaxation of licensing laws inside Murrayfield.

A wholesale ban on alcohol in football grounds was imposed after violence marred the 1980 Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers at Hampden Park.

The SRU volunteered to have their showpiece stadium in Edinburgh included in the ban.

But recently the Union have missed out on staging events such as the Rugby League Challenge Cup final with fans citing the ban on alcohol as one of the reasons for preferring the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

The SRU have argued they are missing out on vital revenue with the restriction on alcohol inside the ground and have entered discussions with the Executive over a possible relaxation of the laws.

Now Watson believes further discussions with Scotland's First Minister Jack McConnell and Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson will result in a successful outcome.

Watson said: “The minister will be returning to Murrayfield for the Scotland v Ireland game on Saturday 6 September and we look forward to seeing him again then.”