A record 28 teams and 250 players will muster on Islay this weekend for what is establishing itself as one of the island's most popular events, the Lagavulin Beach Rugby tournament.

Billed as an opportunity to combine "sand, surf and scrums" in a glorious setting on the island's White Hart Beach, the tournament is sponsored by the world- famous distillery for the third year running.

In what is a full-contact version of the game, the standard will be pretty high with a host of past international players set to support the tournament (kick-off 1pm).

However, as noted by Ian McLauchlan, the most famous of all the former Scotland players involved and a successful British & Irish Lions tourist in both 1971 and '74, the nature of the surface is a great leveller.

McLauchlan, who is the official tournament host, laughed off the notion that he might be expected to roll back the years and join in the fun on the pitch.

One veteran who will be doing just that, though, is Jim Stevenson, who has become a regular at the festival and is taking a weekend off his campaign to become president of the Scottish Rugby Union in order to take part again.

"This is one of the most enjoyable weekends of the year," said Stevenson.

"We were blessed with wonderful weather last year, but even without that you know you are going to have great fun, on and off the pitch."

Melrose will be defending their title but the event is as much about the social side as the competition and it has steadily grown in popularity since its inception eight years ago with more than 500 spectators watching the action last year.

It is now so popular it was this year over-subscribed, while women's teams are also now taking part.