BORDERS rugby fans won't be able to toast the winners of the World Cup after a clampdown by licensing officers.

Scottish Borders Council has imposed a blanket ban on bars and clubs who were hoping to stage events around the final on Saturday, November 2.

With the final in Japan kicking off at 9am, rugby clubs and pubs were hoping to host breakfast bashes.

Selkirk Rugby Club was amongst the premises planning on a celebration with a bucks-fizz breakfast and post-match comedian at Philiphaugh.

But, despite a strong demand for the £25 tickets, they had to cancel the event at the weekend.

A spokesman said: "We have been advised by the Licensing Board that we will be unable to open the club bar for the 9am Rugby World Cup Final.

"In fact no licensed premises in the Borders will be open for the Cup Final.

"We have therefore reluctantly cancelled our popular World Cup Breakfast."

Many local rugby fans have hit out at the ban by licensing bosses due to neighbouring authorities allowing similar events to go ahead.

But Scottish Borders Council has defended the decision.

A spokesman said: "The Scottish Borders Licensing Board is simply adhering to the core hours as set out in its Statement of Licensing Policy.

"A number of games in the World Cup kick off before the 11am core hours commencement time not just the final.

"As a result, the Board decided to adhere to its Statement of Licensing Policy for the whole tournament."