Scottish Rugby is delighted to announce today that Scotland will play World Cup finalists Australia at Hampden Park, Glasgow as part of the Abbey Autumn Tests.
The match will be played on Saturday 20 November with a 2.45pm kick-off.
It will be the eighth international that Scotland have played in Glasgow and their first since Romania were beaten 60-19 as a World Cup warm-up match in 1999.
Scottish Rugby’s Chief Executive Phil Anderton said today: ‘It is a pleasure to renew our partnership with Glasgow City Council which played such a key part in bringing the successful IRB under-21 World Championship to Scotland and the finals to Glasgow during the summer.
‘As we have been able to secure an additional test against Australia we believe it makes sense to showcase international rugby in other parts of the country to allow more Scots the chance to be part of the Scottish Rugby experience.
‘Our discussions with Glasgow City Council and Hampden Park have proved most fruitful and there is considerable enthusiasm about seeing the Scotland team play the World Cup runners-up in Glasgow.’
Councillor Alex Mosson, marketing and events spokesperson for Glasgow City Council, said: ‘We are delighted to be working with Scottish Rugby in bringing this match to the city and are excited that Scotland will be competing against one of the world’s great rugby nations in Glasgow. This once again demonstrates Glasgow’s ambition and commitment to staging major international events in the city.’
Bill Nolan, chairman Glasgow District Rugby, added: ‘This announcement is another great piece of news for Glasgow, coming as it does on the back of the very successful IRB under-21 world championship earlier this year and the recent announcement about the redevelopment of Scotstoun Stadium. It demonstrates clearly the benefits that can be derived from working closely with public sector partners and, in this instance, we are very grateful for the continuing support of Glasgow City Council in enabling us to stage an international test match at Hampden.’
‘Such a high profile event will not only promote rugby within Glasgow but across the entire district and I am confident that rugby supporters in this part of Scotland will turn out in large numbers, particularly as there is no club rugby being played that day due to the BT Cup games being already scheduled by the Championship Committee for the Sunday.’
Scotland’s most-capped hooker Gordon Bulloch was born and bred in Glasgow and welcomed today’s announcement. ‘It’s always a magical moment to represent your country but to do so in Glasgow would be extra special for me.’
The Abbey Autumn Test series will start with a Test against Australia in Edinburgh to mark the opening of the new Scottish Parliament building.
It will be played at Murrayfield on Saturday 6 November with a 5.30pm kick-off. The following Saturday, 13 November, Scotland play Japan at McDiarmid Park, Perth (kick-off 5.30pm). The series continues with Scotland v Australia at Hampden Park, Glasgow on Saturday 20 November (kick-off 2.45pm) and concludes at Murrayfield on Saturday 27 November with Scotland v Tri Nations champions South Africa (kick-off 2.45pm).
Once again Scottish Rugby will offer imaginative ticket packages for the Autumn Tests with savings for debenture holders, rugby club members and members of the Scotland Rugby Supporters’ Club.
Ticket prices for both matches against Australia and the Test against South Africa for supporters in those categories will range from £10, £20, £30, £40 and £50 for adults. Adult supporters outwith those categories pay an extra £5 for each ticket band.
For the match against Japan at McDiarmid Park tickets begin at £10 for adult debenture holders, rugby club and Scotland Supporters Club members, then £20 and £30. Tickets for adults outwith those groups pay an extra £5 for each ticket band.
Phil Anderton added: ‘We are committed to attracting family audiences so we are offering a special incentive to attract families with FREE entrance to youngsters at all four matches. There will be one free children’s ticket for every adult ticket purchased in advance of game day.
‘In other words a family of four could see all four games for a total of £80, saving £40, while even in the best seats at the stadia a family of four attending all four Tests could make a saving of £180.’
‘Additional under-18/student tickets are available for the Australia and South Africa matches at £5, £10, £15, £20 and £25. The prices for under-18s/students for the Japan game are £5, £10 and £15.
‘If you go to three out of the four autumn Tests that guarantees you the right to buy a ticket at Scotland’s home 2005 RBS Six Nations Championship games.
‘We will also repeat our schools coach initiative whereby we pay for the transport for a school or youth team from anywhere in Scotland to any one of the four Tests.’
Tickets are available by calling the credit card hotline number on 0870 040 1925; by calling in person at the Ticket Centre, Murrayfield Stadium; by post (enclosing a stamped self-addressed envelope) to the Ticket Centre, Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh EH12 5PJ. They will also be available online from Tuesday 14 September at www.scottishrugby.org.
For further information please contact
Graham Law
0131 346 5164