The Scottish Rugby Union today unveiled a radically different pricing structure for the three Test matches that Scotland will play at Murrayfield this autumn.

The announcement follows an extensive period of consultation with supporters past and present, underlining rugby's commitment to work with everyone involved in the game.

The matches are against up-and-coming USA, world champions Australia, and tough-tackling Samoa and are on 4, 11 and 18 November respectively.

Children under-18 and students will be admitted FREE to both the USA and Samoa games while there will be a £5 ticket for the schoolchildren's enclosure for the game against the Wallabies. To enable them to sit with their families, children's tickets at £10 and £15 will also be available for the Australia game.

Against the USA, adult tickets will be £5 and £10.

Against Australia, adult tickets will be £10, £15, £20 and £25.

Against Samoa, adult tickets will be £5, £10, £15 and £20.

Other innovations include the "All for One" offer. Buy an adult ticket for the Australia game and receive a free ticket for the USA game and a half price ticket for the Samoa game. This package could cost as little as £12.50 while even the best seats in the house come in at a total of £35.

"The Six Nations Guarantee" - Any supporter going to all three Autumn Tests will get either the guaranteed right to buy a ticket for Scotland v Wales on 17 February or Scotland v Ireland on 7 April - or a free ticket to Scotland v Italy on 17 March.

Any school or mini rugby club making a booking for the USA or Samoa games will be entered into a draw from which six clubs/schools will be drawn with the prize of playing on the international pitch at half-time during the respective games. The free coach transport offer for schools/mini rugby clubs, which was successfully introduced for the Italy game in 1999, will be repeated for the Australia international.

The prices and the additional offers have been set following extensive, independent market research undertaken by the Union through the System Three organisation. They also build on initiatives over the last few years - in seeking to encourage new spectators and reward existing supporters for their loyalty.

Phil Anderton, the SRU's Commercial and Marketing Director, said: "The prices are designed to make international rugby accessible to all - but especially young people, students and families.

"Murrayfield's doors are open to all. We've listened to what the public have told us about ticket prices and we've done something about it. Now we invite supporters to come along to one of the world's finest rugby stadia to watch the national team in action this autumn.

"Three years ago when Australia came to Murrayfield it cost a family of four £100 to sit together in the North Stand. For our match this year against the world champions it will cost that family of four £40.

"The new prices will be backed up by a nationwide TV advertising campaign - a first for Autumn Tests. We will also be sending out ticket application forms to all rugby club members, debenture holders and all schools. Our strategy - particularly through the TV campaign - is to reinforce the message that tickets are available to all and then tell people how they can buy tickets.

"For information and booking for the Autumn Tests supporters can call our ticket hotline on 0870 444 4221 or log on to www.sru.org.uk. They can also call in person at Murrayfield, write to SRU, Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh EH12 5PJ or fax us on 0131 346 5001 to receive the ticket application form."

Reaction to the prices has been swift and positive.

The voice of rugby, TV commentator, Bill McLaren, said: "I think these new ticket prices are tremendous. In my opinion, the more people who can come along and experience the thrill of an international rugby match, the better. Making these big matches more affordable will surely attract more spectators and if it even inspires just one youngster to take up the game, then it is worthwhile."

Former TV Gladiator, Ali Paton, said: "It is important that youngsters are encouraged to participate in sport and to support their heroes and their country. This initiative will do just that, while allowing many to experience the atmosphere of a live international for the first time - an experience that cannot be beaten."

Scotland's peerless counter-attacking full-back, Andy Irvine, said: "I am delighted to see these new prices.
They are a big improvement on recent policy, much more innovative, much fairer and much better value, especially for children and families. I think they will prove highly successful with the fans and lead to bigger and hopefully noisier crowds. You only have to look at how the crowd helped inspire the Scotland team to overcome England at last season's Calcutta Cup."

Scotland and Kilmarnock footballer Ally McCoist said: "I think that bringing down the price of tickets is a great idea to encourage more young supporters to come to Murrayfield. The most important supporters are the children as they are the players and supporters of the future. Bigger crowds create a better atmosphere and add to the occasion."

Scotland captain Andy Nicol added: " I won my first cap at Murrayfield in 1992 and my most recent experience of playing in the Stadium was the Calcutta Cup victory in April. From a player's perspective there is no bigger honour and thrill than to play for your country in front of your own folk in your own stadium. I applaud the new prices and believe sincerely that they'll give many more Scots the chance to join the team in creating a new era for Scottish rugby."