ScotRail is advising rugby fans heading to the Melrose 7s by train to plan their journey in advance.

Fans will be able to use services on the Borders Railway to travel to Tweedbank – the closest station to the Melrose Rugby Club – on Saturday 8 April, with the event kicking off at 10:30am.

To help ensure customers arrive at the event on time, passengers should allow extra time for travel – as well as purchasing tickets in advance. Where possible, ScotRail will be adding carriages to timetabled services.

Customers should be aware queuing systems are likely to be in place at Edinburgh Waverley before the match, and at Tweedbank station afterwards. Passenger numbers at other stations along the line will be monitored throughout the day.

Fans who are planning on travelling home by train in the evening are advised to head to Tweedbank as soon as possible after the game finishes and are reminded that after the 7:31pm service, trains will run hourly.

Jacqueline Taggart, ScotRail Alliance Customer Experience Director said: “We’re really looking forward to taking fans to the Melrose Sevens on the Borders Railway.

“We’ll be using every train at our disposal to add extra carriages to services between Edinburgh and Tweedbank, however, trains are expected to be very busy.

“Make sure to check your train times on our website or app and leave plenty of time for travel. Buying tickets in advance will also help reduce your queuing time.”

ScotRail will have extra staff on the ground to assist fans and as with most large events alcohol bans will be in place.