TWO of Scotland’s ancient universities,The University of Edinburgh and the University of St Andrews, are set to clash for the first time at The Aberdeen Asset Management Melrose Sevens on 8 April 2017.
The match between the university rugby sevens teams will take place prior to the 2017 final in front of a crowd of thousands at the Greenyards. The 2017 tournament is expected to be hotly contested with guest teams from Western Province, Sweden, Co-optimists and Harlequins joining Scottish Clubs in competing for the Ladies Cup.
“The prospect of having two of Scotland’s ancient universities add to the exceptional atmosphere at the 2017 Aberdeen Asset Management Melrose Sevens is truly exciting. This is a must-see match for students, alumni and rugby enthusiasts alike. In this Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology we are particularly delighted to welcome both the University of Edinburgh and the University of St Andrews to the birthplace of the Sevens, and to celebrate the legacy of Ned Haig,” said Trevor Jackson, President of Melrose RFC.
David Ross, Director of Rugby at University of St Andrews, said: “We are delighted to accept the invitation to be part of The Aberdeen Asset Management Melrose 7s this year in what is a great addition to the tournament. To showcase our rugby programme in front of a huge crowd is something we are used to with The Scottish Varsity Match at BT Murrayfield but to get the opportunity to play at the home of Sevens in such a prestigious and world class event is a special honour for our club. We would like to thank Melrose RFC for recognising the student game and the quality of rugby programmes that both St Andrews and Edinburgh have in place. The players are very excited to once again challenge themselves in the oldest university rivalry in the world and promise to put on some stunning Sevens to entertain the crowd.”
David Adamson, Head of Men’s Rugby at The University of Edinburgh, said: “We have a strong and proud tradition of Sevens, having participated in a number of tournaments all around the world in the past ten years, and having been part of the ‘King of the 7s’ since its inception. But, to be invited to participate against our oldest rivals at the oldest Sevens tournament in the world is a great honour and one that our players and club can’t wait to embrace and be part of.”
Councillor David Parker, Leader of Scottish Borders Council, said: “Melrose Sevens seems the perfect setting for two of Scotland’s oldest universities to face each other, and should encourage even more visitors to make their way to the picturesque Borders town for this year’s tournament.
“The addition of the Borders Railway also means that people can enjoy a car-free Melrose Sevens, with shuttle buses to be provided from nearby Tweedbank Rail Station to the Greenyards throughout the day.”
The University of Edinburgh and the University of St Andrews recently contested The Royal Bank of Scotland Scottish Varsity Match at the BT Murrayfield Stadium in front of 10,000 plus fans.
Tickets for theAberdeen Asset Management Melrose Sevens on 8 April 2017 are available from www.melrose7s.com or directly from Melrose Rugby Club.
Image: Craig Watson – www.craigwatson.co.uk