Artificial pitch to solve Glasgow's problems?

Glasgow Warriors were last week reported to be optimistic of reaching an agreement with the city council to lay a synthetic pitch at their waterlogged Scotstoun home

The Pro12 club has had to switch their European Champions Cup game against Racing 92 to Kilmarnock's Rugby Park this weekend. It is the third time this season that Scotstoun, owned by Glasgow City Council, has been deemed unplayable.

Cardiff Blues are currently the only Pro 12 side with a synthetic pitch, which they installed ahead of the 2013-14 season, following the lead set by English Premiership champions Saracens at their Allianz Park home.

Glasgow managing director Nathan Bombrys said they are "very close to a breakthrough" over a new pitch.

"It is important to note that Scotstoun is a multi-sport facility and it also hosts athletics events," he told BBC Scotland.

"It is owned by Glasgow City Council and it's done pretty well for us. We are a tenant but have been able to make Scotstoun feel like home, but it has a weakness.

"When we get wet weather, the pitch does struggle and our expectations and requirements have grown."

Bombrys said negotiations are continuing with Glasgow Life, the agency that runs the facility for the council, about an artificial surface.

"The way forward for us would be to get a 3G pitch in there," he said.

"It would give us a good surface to play on and to train on and would open up opportunities for the community and for athletics to use it as well.

"Where it falls short is that it is not conducive to throwing javelins and hammers on it. We are looking for solutions with Glasgow Life."

Bombrys explained that, although there would be financial implications, the decision was taken early to switch the 23 January game to Kilmarnock to allow supporters plenty of time to make arrangements.

"Scotstoun has been flooded a number of times with the heavy rain," he said.

"The rains have been phenomenal. It does drain away, but it leaves a very unstable surface and then we get more rain and it is under water again.

"We have had multiple different expert groundsmen look at it for us and, by not playing or training on it for a while, we hope it will recover.

"We are not going to have a game of rugby there in a week's time and we thought we had a good facility available at Rugby Park."

For the orginal article, visit www.runningrugby.com.