Club XV To Face The English Named

Scotland Club XV captain Ross Curle of Ayr

 

NO SOONER had I posted my last entry, bemoaning the lack of coverage of the domestic club game in our Rugby-orientated papers, before a press release from the SRU landed in my inbox. This released the identity of the Scotland Club XV, to play the English Counties XV, at Netherdale, on Friday, 26 February.

 

The chosen squad, starting XV and replacements is:

 

15. Fraser Thomson (Melrose)

 14. Sam Pecquer (Melrose)

13. Ross Curle CAPTAIN (Ayr)

12. Brendan McGroarty (Glasgow Hawks)

11. Jordan Edmunds (Boroughmuir)

10. Lee Armstrong (Hawick)

9. Paddy Boyer (Glasgow Hawks)

1.     George Hunter (Ayr)

2.     Ross Graham (Hawick)

3.     Nick Beavon (Melrose)

4.     Robert McAlpine (Ayr)

5.     Jack Turley (Heriot’s)

6.     Jason Hill (Heriot’s)

7.     Will Bordill (Ayr)

8.     Peter McCallum (Ayr)

  Replacements

 16. Michael Liness (Heriot’s)

17. Struan Cessford (Heriot’s)

18. Jamie Bhatti (Melrose)

19. Russell Nimmo (Heriot’s)

20. Neil Irvine-Hess (Melrose)

21. Graham Wilson (Heriot’s)

22. Cameron Ferguson (Heriot’s)

23. Harvey Elms (Currie)

The 23-strong quad is drawn from seven clubs, with league leaders Ayr providing one-third of the starting XV, including skipper Ross Curle. There is a first cap for Millbrae number eight Peter McCallum who has been in superb form this season. In gaining national recognition, Peter has moved upsides with his father, former Ayr lock Chris, who was one of the original Scotland Under-21 players when that age group was initiated back in 1984, Chris coming off the bench against the Netherlands that year.

He is joined in what looks like a good back row trio by club-mate Will Bordill, and Heriot's Jason Hill, both of whom have worn the Warriors' shirt with distinction this season. Hill will be vice-captain.

George Hunter, another to have turned out for Warriors, is at loose-head, alongside Scottish Academy Stage Three hooker Ross Graham of Hawick. Coach Phil Smith has not unnaturally leaned heavily on his own Heriot's squad for the bench. Hill and New Zealander Jack Turley are the only Goldenacre men who will start, but versatile front rowers Michael Liness and Struan Cessford, versatile lock Ross Nimmo, scrum-half Graham Wilson and Cammy Ferguson are on the bench.

The English side won comfortably in last year's inaugural fixture at this level, at Vale of Lune, so revenge is in the air at Gala.  If the Scots can get the ball out to the speedy Sam Pecquer and  Jordan Edmunds on the wings, they will spell danger to the English.

Smith has chosen a good, strong squad, let's hope they are good enough to post a rare Scottish win over the Auld Enemy.