Scots go artificial

Scotland will become the first top-tier nation to host a match on an artificial pitch, when they takes on Tonga during the year-end Tests in November.

Bernard Lapasset, Chairman of the International Rugby Board, said it is an "exciting development" and backs the decision as "it can provide a consistent and low-maintenance alternative to natural pitches".

In a statement released by Scotland Rugby Union on Friday, Lapasset said playing internationals on artificial pitches will be "useful in parts of the world where growing and maintaining a high-quality grass surface is not straightforward".

The match will be played at Rugby Park, the home of Kilmarnock football club, on November 22.

The Scottish Rugby Union said the surface has passed IRB compliance and safety tests.

Kilmarnock installed the new surface recent and it will stage its first competitive game when Aberdeen are the visitors on Scottish Premiership duty on Wednesday.

A Tweet from the SRU read: "The international at Rugby Park will be a world-first! The first time a Tier 1 union has played an international on an artificial pitch!"