Scotland rugby bosses call in specialists to deal with worm infestation in ...

Yet they do have a fatal weakness. Like vampires, nematodes suffer a fit of

the vapours at the first whiff of garlic, so the Murrayfield maintenance

team’s round-the-clock battle to rid the ground of its unwelcome visitors

has included spraying the entire area with the stuff.

As an unfortunate sideeffect, spectators on ­Saturday might notice that the

historic ground has a distinct aroma of chicken kiev, but it is a small

price worth paying for the eradication of the maddening mites.

Mark Laidlaw, the Scottish Rugby Union’s director of management services,

said: “A soil examination in September revealed an excessive build up of

nematodes which have caused significant root damage.

“The result is 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.

“We’ve worked with some of the leading experts in this area to examine and

treat one of the best surfaces in world rugby using natural remedies, but it

takes a number of weeks to eradicate the problem and then to recover root

strength.

“The ground staff will continue their efforts to develop and consolidate the

root structure, and hope to return the pitch to the standard we all expect

to see at the national ­stadium.”

Meanwhile, Scotland No 8 Dave Denton has said he is determined to put the

disappointments of last ­season to good use as he resumes his place in the

starting line-up for ­Saturday’s match against Japan.

Denton had an outstanding first season of Test rugby in 2011-12, but poor form

and a run of injuries saw him dropped to the bench for the most recent Six

Nations championship. However, a series of impressive displays for Edinburgh

have propelled him back into the limelight over the past couple of months.

“It’s awesome just to be playing again,” said the 23-year-old forward. “Last

season was tough because I didn’t get a run of games. But I think I played

nine on the bounce for Edinburgh at the start of this season.

“I wouldn’t say last season has changed my thinking, but what it has done is

show me what can happen. I had a horrible run of luck, and I didn’t play

well when I was fit at the start of the season. But I think that’s something

I had to experience to learn from.

“Now I feel a lot more experienced and a lot more confident on the field.

That’s important.”

Know your nematodes

Nematodes are microscopic worms that occur naturally in the soil: some feed on

living organisms, and are often used to control other pests, while others –

like the ones causing havoc at Murrayfield – eat plant matter. The best way

to deal with them is to either let the wintry weather take hold – freezing

temperatures are fatal to the worms – or apply a pesticide.

Article source: http://www.express.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/441003/Centre-stage-for-England-debutant-Luther-Burrell

Scotland rugby bosses call in specialists to deal with worm infestation in ...