First Minister Alex Salmond believes rugby can become a major selling point for Scotland in a way never before cultivated, and drive a new era of sporting benefits in this country. He talks to The Scotsman's David Ferguson.
"Speaking exclusively to The Scotsman, the First Minister said: “Rugby is a hugely popular sport in Scotland, both played and watched with passion by people throughout the country.
“I particularly enjoy watching Scotland play in the Six Nations at Murrayfield. Not only is this country the internationally recognised home of golf, Scotland is also the home of rugby sevens, with an incredible heritage in the sport, born from its origins in Melrose in 1883.
“I know that the SRU is working hard to make that unique heritage work for the benefit of Scottish rugby and Scotland in general. I am in Hong Kong, and nowhere is the global reach of Scottish rugby more evident. There is a thriving ex-pat community here that love rugby and get actively involved through cheering on the national team in the flagship Hong Kong Sevens tournament and growing the Hong Kong Scottish club that is now flying the flag for Scottish rugby in the city. I look forward to seeing how these links are developed in the coming years to the benefit of the sport.”
"Salmond stressed that support for rugby has grown under his government, but there also seems to be a growing awareness that real investment in rugby will lead to the wider benefits that those active in the game have been shouting about for decades."
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