Kick Easter Road talk into touch

SRU chief executive Mark Dodson says Easter Road and Meggetland are the two front-runners to host Edinburgh Rugby matches as he tries to find them a new venue away from BT Murrayfield.

Moving to the home of Boroughmuir would be understandable after it successfully hosted Edinburgh’s first match of this Pro12 season against Leinster.

But Easter Road? What’s the point of even considering it? Edinburgh fans say it’s impossible to generate a decent atmosphere at Murrayfield, with an average attendance of 3,758 inside a 67,000-capacity stadium. Would things really be much better inside the Hibs ground, which holds 20,000?

Plus, supporters would never have a sense of belonging there, as they would always just be tenants for as long as the SRU paid Hibs a yearly income.

Moving to a football ground is not a long-term solution and the governing body would be as well staying at Murrayfield and saving the rent money.

Dodson’s comments about Easter Road and Meggetland suggest there is unlikely to be a deal reached between the SRU and Edinburgh Council to build a new stadium for the club, which is frankly a disgrace.

Although Meggetland only holds around 3,000, new stands — either temporary or permanent — could increase the capacity and it’s far and away a much better option than Easter Road.

And, when the club are playing bigger games, then there’s still Murrayfield to fall back on.