Support Scotland At The Rugby World Cup

The countdown to next year’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand is on in earnest.  It’s exactly one year from today that the tournament will begin when the hosts face their Pacific island neighbours, Tonga, in Auckland. Scotland, who have a proud record of always qualifying from their pool and reaching the knockout stages at the six previous tournaments, will play their pool games in Invercargill, Dunedin, Christchurch and Auckland against a qualifier (either Uruguay or Romania); Georgia; Argentina and England respectively. From tomorrow (Friday 10 September) Scotland supporters have their chance to buy tickets.  Martin Snedden, CEO Rugby New Zealand 2011, explained: “September 10 marks another milestone when applications open for phase two of the ticketing programme – individual match tickets – through www.rugbyworldcup.com.    “This is also the last chance to enter the ballot for semi-final and final tickets so we urge fans to take advantage of this four-week period to apply.” Scotland head coach Andy Robinson said: “I know from our tour to Argentina during the summer that Scotland fans love to travel and support the team vociferously – and that support is always appreciated by the players and management. “Rugby World Cup is one year away and of course it’s an exciting time for rugby.  But our focus just now has to be on our next challenge – and that’s our Autumn Tests against New Zealand, South Africa and Samoa here in Scotland in November.” The Autumn Tests see Scotland play New Zealand at Murrayfield on Saturday 13 November, kick-off 5.15pm; South Africa at Murrayfield on Saturday 20 November, kick-off 2.30pm; and Samoa at Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen on Saturday 27 November, kick-off 2.30pm. Tickets are available for the Autumn Tests from www.scottishrugby.org or call the ticket hotline on 0844 335 3933. Note to editorsScotland’s pool matches in the Rugby World Cup are as follows: Saturday 10 September 2011 – Scotland v Qualifier, Invercargill; Wednesday 14 September 2011 – Scotland v Georgia, Dunedin; Sunday 25 September 2011 – Scotland v Argentina, Christchurch; Saturday 1 October – Scotland v England, Auckland