McDIARMID PARK TO HOST RUGBY INTERNATIONALS

St Johnstone Football Club are pleased to announce that McDiarmid Park will host two Under 20 rugby international matches over the next few weeks.

Friday 6th February 2009 Scotland Under 20s v Wales Under 20s Kick off 7.10pm

Friday 13th March 2009 Scotland Under 20s v Ireland Under 20s Kick off 7.30pm

Admission to all of this season’s Scotland A, Women’s and Scotland age-grade 6 Nations home matches will be free.

The free entry offer represents an excellent opportunity for supporters to come out and back Scotland’s top emerging talent at various venues, with matches being played at Dens Park (Dundee), McDiarmid Park, Bridgehaugh (Stirling), Myreside and Lasswade (Edinburgh).

Scottish Rugby’s head of performance, Henry Edwards, said: “We believe it’s vital to encourage supporters not only to get behind the players who have the honour of representing their country but it gives them a golden opportunity to see the potential stars of Scotland teams who will be our ultimate rugby ambassadors in the future.”

Scotland under-20 team manager, John Jeffrey, agreed: “Scotland age-grade games are a great chance to see the talent of tomorrow and Scotland A feature a number of top international players.

“The 20s have had a good turnout of about 1500 in the past but hopefully, with tickets now free to all, we’ll get a vocal crowd at the games who will get behind the team for the 6 Nations Championship.”

Scotland under-20 are first to get into 6 Nations action and will play all of their matches in Perthshire and Tayside as they take on Wales at McDiarmid Park (Friday 6 February), Italy at Dens Park, Dundee (Friday 27 February) and Ireland (Friday 13 March) back in Perth.

FREE TO ATTEND REPRESENTATIVE AND AGE-GRADE FIXTURES Scotland under-20 Friday 6 February – Scotland under-20 v Wales under-20, McDiarmid Park, Perth (kick-off, 7.10pm)

Friday 13 February – France under-20 v Scotland under-20, Macon, (kick-off tbc)

Friday 27 February – Scotland under-20 v Italy under-20, Dens Park, Dundee (kick-off, 7.30pm)

Friday 13 March – Scotland under-20 v Ireland under-20, McDiarmid Park, Perth (kick-off, 7.30pm)

Friday 20 March – England under-20 v Scotland under-20, Sixways Stadium, Worcester (kick-off 8pm)