Co-optimists to help Wanderers celebrate

Oneofscotland’soldestclubs will celebrate its 150th anniversary with a match against Co-optimists and a gala dinner.

Edinburgh Wanderers were formed in 1868 before merging with Murrayfield RFC in 1997 to become Murrayfield Wanderers.

The club has had a full and colourful history from initial membership of the English Rugby Football Union to providing the greatest number of female internationals through its powerhouse women’s section.

The club is about to mark a new chapter as it moves from the Murrayfield Stadium back pitches to a new home but will play against Co-optimists there tomorrow before a dinner which will see more than 400 in attendance to celebrate the milestone.

Former Wanderer, Scotland international and SRU president Alan Lawson said: “Wanderers has a fine tradition of being an open and welcoming club. Until the 1970s, it was one of the few open clubs and, as such, had a special place in Scottish Rugby as FP clubs only admitted former pupils.

“Playing at the home of Scottish rugby is also a special magnet and attraction for the club. It is a thrill for those youngsters from the club and every team who get the chance to play there.

“When I played in the 70s, Jimmy Thain, the head groundsman, regularly let us play on the international pitch, telling us, ‘The pitch also has to be match fit’. What a thrill to change in the internationalchangingroomsand [play] on the hallowed turf.” Dean Richards says Newcastle are “absolutely raring to go” as they target their first appearance in a European final.

The Falcons head to Aviva Premiership rivals Gloucester tonight, having already won at Kingsholm this season in the league. The winners will face Cardiff Blues or Pau in next month’s Challenge Cup final,