Garlic cure for Murrayfield malady

If scrums collapse during Scotland's internationals against Japan, South Africa and Australia this month, maybe the front rows won't be to blame this time.

Ground staff at Murrayfield have been working for two months to eradicate the problem of naturally occurring roundworms that are living in the pitch and damaging the root structure of the grass.

Specialists have even resorted to spraying garlic in the affected areas to remedy the problem.

Mark Laidlaw, Director of Management services at the Scottish Rugby Union, says the parasites have caused a "shallow and weakened root network and, though it continues to perform well in play, it can weaken under the significant pressure exerted by scrums".

The SRU says the three tour matches, starting with Japan on Saturday, are not under threat.

AP