Scottish rugby has received a £835,074 cash boost from sportscotland.

The funding will be used to support staffing and programme costs aimed at boosting the number of players, both in the youth and adult game as well as improving performance development through investment in the Scottish Rugby strategic plan and regional development network.

Announcing the investment sportscotland chair, Louise Martin, said: “With an increase in the numbers playing the game over the past year, particularly at youth level, there is clearly a real appetite for rugby in Scotland.

Martin added that the provision of a high quality coaching network will be crucial in developing the sport, especially as Scottish Rugby is recognised as a trailblazer sport by Sports Coach UK, the body responsible for the implementation of the UK Coaching Certificate (UKCC), and the national stadium for rugby, Murrayfield, is now an approved delivery centre, assisting other national governing bodies to process the UKCC.

The increase in funding announced by sportscotland today will allow Scottish Rugby to continue their coach development programme, providing qualified coaches to develop the sport around the country.

Sports minister Stewart Maxwell said: "This investment builds on the significant funding the Scottish Government already gives to the game."