THE BEST rugby pub in the country – based right here in the birthplace of the game – needs help to defend its title.
The Merchant’s Inn is again in the running to be named Britain’s Best Rugby Pub, having won the inaugural title last year when it beat the famous Cabbage Patch in Twickenham into second place.
Organisers of the Aberdeen Standard Investments Melrose Sevens tournament, who launched the search last year, are again calling on fans to nominate their favourite rugger-centric watering holes.
The Merchant’s was nominated for last year’s award by Rugby Observer editor Andy Morris for being “a rugby pub in Rugby, just metres from the pitch at Rugby School where William Webb Ellis picked up the ball and ran”.
The pub’s manager James Reeve said last year’s win gave the venue an unexpected boost.
He said: “It was a massive shock, but also an honour, to win this competition as we were up against some of the best in the business.
“We’ve used the award win in our advertising and promotion and we’ve had a lot more visitors as a result. The plaque takes pride of place outside our premises and it’s the first thing that visitors see when they walk in – they know they are entering Britain’s Best Rugby Pub of 2018.
“We see ourselves as the pub of rugby as we are less than 200 yards from where the game was invented, and it’s great to know that our customers think so highly of what we offer here.
“We would love to retain the title, but we know the competition will be tough.”
Douglas Hardie, president of Melrose Rugby Club, said: “It’s all to play for – we can’t wait to hear the pub-going public’s suggestions for the 2019 Rugby Pub of the Year. Going by last year’s experience, we expect this competition to generate plenty of competitive rivalry.”
Visit www.facebook.com/melrosevens or @melrose7s on Twitter to share comments and pictures, using the hashtag #bestrugbypub. Voting closes on March 1.
The award is given to mark the annual Melrose Sevens tournament, which takes place in the eponymous Scottish town on April 14. Visit www.melrose7s.com for more information.
