Ringing the changes

HAT’S in a name? Not so very much when the prize is £20 million and the chance to give a significant boost to grassroots rugby. That is the view of the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) after yesterday’s historic sponsorship deal which will see the national stadium rebranded the BT Murrayfield Stadium.

The SRU says that the cash, which will be paid over four years, will be used to help the game grow throughout Scotland, establishing a robust academy structure and enhancing the standard of club rugby.

Given the performance of the national team in recent years, nurturing future generations of playing talent has to be of the highest priority, and this seems a relatively painless way to acquire much-needed capital.

There is unlikely to be a repeat of the furore that followed the temporary renaming of Newcastle United FC’s St James’s Park as the Sports Direct Arena.

The national stadium has been spared such a crass reincarnation, and will always be known as Murrayfield to the average spectator, even if the addition of “BT” might, so to speak, initially jar. The goal of a painless conversion has been achieved.