A new hybrid grass pitch is to be installed at Murrayfield Stadium, Scottish Rugby has announced.

The pitch will be the largest investment in the grounds since its reconstruction in 1994.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the organisation said the pitch will be installed later this year and will be ready for the beginning of the 2014-15 season.

The Desso Grassmaster hybrid grass pitch is a natural sports grass pitch, which is reinforced by millions of artificial turf fibres, and "results in a high-specification pitch providing the feel and performance of natural grass with the stability of an artificial pitch," Scottish Rugby's Director of Management Services, Mark Laidlaw explained.


He added: "We are doing this primarily because this hybrid pitch is widely recognised as the best grass surface in the sporting world and we all want to see the Murrayfield playing surface restored to the pristine condition for which it is renowned.

"This is an investment that will safeguard international rugby on Murrayfield's hallowed pitch but will also enable us to be in the market seeking out major sporting events to bring to our stadium," Dominic McKay, Scottish Rugby's Director of Commercial Operations, Communications and Public Affairs, added.

Last year, the current Murrayfield pitch was sprayed with garlic as part of efforts to eradicate a turf parasite, which causes damage to the grass root structure.

Work on the new investment is to commence shortly.

(JP/IT)