Murrayfield pitch to be replaced with hybrid grass

Scottish Rugby will replace the Murrayfield playing surface with a hybrid grass in time for next season.

The pitch was sprayed with garlic in November in a bid to eradicate nematodes, roundworms which cause damage to grass root structure.

And Edinburgh's upcoming Pro12 match against Ospreys on 28 February has been moved to Boroughmuir's Meggetland ground.

The new surface blends grass with artificial turf fibres.

And Scotland's governing body believes that the installation is necessary in order to "meet the demands of professional rugby".

Director of management services, Mark Laidlaw, said: "We are doing this primarily because this hybrid pitch is widely recognised as the best grass surface in the sporting world and we all want to see the Murrayfield playing surface restored to the pristine condition for which it is renowned.

"We are making this significant investment because, as we've said previously, we are concerned at the problems our pitch and others within the UK and beyond have experienced of late.

"We have been affected by a parasitic infection this season."

Commenting on the changed venue for Edinburgh v Ospreys, the Scottish pro-team's managing director David Davies said: "We've taken a lot of time and care to select the best venue for this fixture and that limits the inconvenience to our fans."