Rugby Park confirmed as venue for Georgia Test

Scottish Rugby today confirmed Scotland will play their November Test against Georgia at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock on Saturday 26 November (kick-off 2.30pm). The match will be the national team’s second venture to the Ayrshire ground, after defeating Tonga 37-12 at the home of Kilmarnock FC in November 2014.Rugby Park boasts a World Rugby approved 3G pitch, and Scotland’s 2014 fixture at the venue was globally ground-breaking as the first international match involving a tier-one nation to be held on a fully-artificial surface. Scottish Rugby’s Chief Operating Officer Dominic McKay, said: “We’re delighted to take Scotland’s autumn Test against Georgia to Kilmarnock, following the success of our first experience at the venue in November 2014 when 16,000 fans watched the national team defeat Tonga. “Scottish Rugby continues to take international rugby across the country in a bid to grow the sport and we hope taking our national team to Ayrshire will inspire a new audience as a means to increasing interest and participation in grassroots rugby.”We are offering a range of fantastic ticketing options for all the family as we look forward to hosting yet another world class event at Rugby Park, as part of our exciting Autumn Test Series.”Ayrshire born-and-bred Scotland prop Gordon Reid, said: “Rugby Park is a fantastic sporting venue. Having played there both for Scotland and Glasgow Warriors, I know there’s always a great buzz and atmosphere around the ground on game day.”Personally, I really enjoy playing on the artificial surfaces which is another bonus of playing at Rugby Park. It makes for a quick game and the skill level is usually higher, so it should prove an exciting game for the fans.”It’s a great opportunity for fans in the west of Scotland to experience international rugby close to home, so we’ll be hoping for another big crowd to really get behind the team in our final game of the Test Series.The Ayrshire ground is the ninth venue Scotland have played an international fixture on home turf.Glasgow Warriors have also turned out at the ground on two occasions, including the match in which they defeated eventual European Champions Cup finalists Racing 92, 22-5, in the competition group stages in January of this year.Kilmarnock Football Club Manager Lee Clark said: “Everyone at the club is delighted that Scottish Rugby has decided to return to Rugby Park to host this prestigious match – our fourth major rugby union match since the 3G pitch was installed.”Our synthetic pitch is fully compliant with World Rugby specifications, which are more rigorous than FIFA’s criteria, and Rugby Park is the perfect venue for an Autumn Test Series international fixture.”I’m a big fan of rugby and this match will create a lot of interest in Kilmarnock and beyond. If supporters can’t join the football team for our Premiership match at Aberdeen that day, I hope they’ll turn out in force for the rugby and cheer on Scotland.”Scotland’s Autumn Test Series begins at BT Murrayfield against Australia on Saturday 12 November (kick-off 2.30pm) and is followed on Saturday 19 November with the visit of Argentina (kick-off 5pm), before moving west to Kilmarnock’s Rugby Park for the final game of the three-Test series against Georgia (kick-off 2.30pm).Tickets for Scotland v Georgia are available starting at£15* for adults and£10* for U18s, and will be on public sale from 10am on Wednesday 20 July. To celebrate international rugby returning to the west of Scotland, Scottish Rugby is delighted to introduce the Family Ticket, which includes two adults and two U18 tickets from just£40*, alongside a whole range of other exciting and attractive offers. Visit www.scottishrugby.org/family-ticket for more information.Demand is expected to be high with tickets currently selling faster than any previous Autumn Test Series.* Exclusive of transaction fees