Sporting digest: Rugby Union

Sporting digest: Rugby Union

The Scottish Rugby Union will hold a trial match at Myreside on 7 January, three days after the final round of the European qualifying tournament with the teams drawn from home-based district players. "Because of the England club programme it's now impossible to hold a trial match that includes players based in England," said the national coach Richie Dixon. The Scots last held a trial match in 1994. The Scotland director of rugby Jim Telfer said: "It will give the selectors an opportunity to assess the home-based players ahead of the Scotland and Scotland A matches at the end of January." Scotland play Italy in Treviso on 24 January and Scotland A face Northern Transvaal on 23 January.