Scottish justice secretary Kenny MacAskill has revealed that 12 rugby clubs throughout the country will receive a share of £550,000 to improve training, changing and pitch facilities.

Grants of up to £50,000 will be handed to the clubs through the CashBack for Communities programme and comes from a £1.25m rugby facilities fund established in February. Kirkcaldy Rugby Football Club is one of the clubs to receive a £50,000 grant, which will go towards an upgrade of its floodlights and the development of a winter training area.

Five other clubs secured £50,000 grants, while the other six received funding worth between £19,960 and £48,776. Further awards from the fund are due to be announced shortly. MacAskill said: "The Scottish Government is committed to helping fund grass roots rugby through our CashBack for Communities programme."