Scottish rugby fans are invited to support the talent of tomorrow in the first of a series of age-grade fixtures next month.
Scotland’s two professional clubs will field sides at under-16, under-17 and under-18 levels in the annual series of inter-city fixtures that are integral to the revised five-year performance pathway programme. The games form part of the national selection process, with Edinburgh Rugby age-grade sides selected from the best of the Borders and Edinburgh matches, and Glasgow Warriors picking from the Glasgow and Caledonia clashes.
Scottish Rugby’s senior academy manager, Grant McKelvey, said: “These fixtures represent the top three years of our performance pathway which puts a greater focus on skills and physical development and leads into these competitive and intense representative matches.
“From an early age the top players in the country will be aligned to Scotland’s two professional clubs, building on their affiliation to and will-to-win for their respective clubs.”
The five-year programme begins with key national theme skills camps to which local clubs and schools can nominate their best players at under-14 and under-15 levels.
Selection for the pathway can then give the player the opportunity to represent their region – Edinburgh, Glasgow, the Borders or Caledonia – and compete for a place in the Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors select sides.
UNDER-18
Wednesday 13 February – Edinburgh Rugby v Glasgow Warriors, Murrayfield (kick-off 7pm)
Sunday 17 February – Scottish Select* v Scottish Exiles, Murrayfield (kick-off 12.30pm)
* Scottish Select is made up of players selected as replacements for the pro-alignment fixture and those on the fringes of pro-alignment selection from the district matches.
UNDER-16
Wednesday 20 February – Edinburgh v Borders, Murrayfield (kick-off 6pm)
Wednesday 20 February – Glasgow v Caledonia, Murrayfield (kick-off 7.30pm)
Wednesday 27 February – Edinburgh Rugby Blacks v Glasgow Warriors Whites (kick-off 6pm)
Wednesday 27 February – Edinburgh Rugby Reds v Glasgow Warriors Blacks (kick-off 7.30pm) .
UNDER-17
Wednesday 6 March – Edinburgh v Borders, Murrayfield (kick-off 6pm)
Wednesday 6 March – Glasgow v Caledonia, Murrayfield (kick-off 7.30pm)
Wednesday 13 March – Edinburgh Rugby Blacks v Glasgow Warriors Whites, Murrayfield (kick-off 6pm); Edinburgh Rugby Reds v Glasgow Warriors Blacks, Murrayfield (kick-off 7.30pm).
