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Scotland Club International Squad Announced

36 players have been named in the Scotland Club International Squad for this season’s two games against French & Irish opposition. There are representatives from all ten RBS Premier 1 clubs, plus two players who play in the RBS National League. Six of the players are on Elite Development Contracts with the Pro teams and twelve of the team bring previous experience at this level, including Fraser Thomson and Scott Sutherland who have both appeared in six fixtures.

Premier 1 leaders, Ayr, who host the Irish match on Friday 8th March, have the biggest representation with seven players named in the squad. Ross Curle might consider himself fortunate to be included this year considering his disciplinary record, and the very consistent Grant Anderson may wonder what he needs to do to be selected, but the Millbrae faithful will be delighted to see big Nick Cox rewarded for his rumbling form this year having returned from a career threatening injury. Cox, is English by birth, so presumably qualifies for this team on residency grounds. Gala’s talisman, Opata Palepoi, might have been included on the same grounds, as he has been instrumental in their rise up the league. Gala do have six players in the squad including both of Coach George Graham’s sons, George & Gary, his young propping prodigies McQuillan and Pettie, and the excellent game maker Lee Millar. Among the Gala team, Euan Dods will count himself unlucky not to be selected.

There are some regular Club Internationalists missing this year – notably Ross Weston, Richard Sneddon, Allan Brown and Scottish Rugby Blog’s own Alan Dymock, now studying in London. Indeed this is the first Club XV squad without a Dymock in it for 5 years! The end of an era or just an oversight of Dundee’s famous family?

There will however be delight around the country in the selection of loyal club men like Gary Holborn, Grieg Campbell, Dan Teague and Mark Cairns – just reward for consistent careers.

Of those not selected, Stevie Longwell & Iain Wilson are newcomers who have made a big impression at Dundee HSFP this year, Joe Helps has progressed steadily at Melrose, and Graham Wilson at Heriots continues to display class week after week. None of them would have been out of place in the squad.

FULL SQUAD

BACKS

J Forbes (Currie), R Steele (Watsons), F Thomson (Melrose/EDP), C Gossman (Ayr), C Anderson (Melrose), C Robertson (Gala), M Learmonth (Heriots), D Gilmour (Stirling Co), D Kelbrick, R Curle (both Ayr), S Edwards (Stirling Co), R Hutton (Ayr), L Millar, George Graham (both Gala), M McConnell (Ayr/EDP)

FORWARDS

A Allen (Edin A/EDP), R Hislop (Bor/EDP), L Pettie, E McQuillan (both Gala), G Holborn (Melrose), N Cox, G Hunter (both Ayr), F Brown, K Bryce (both Heriots), S Sutherland (Ayr), R Miller (Melrose), A Redmayne (DHSFP), G Campbell, D Teague (both Ed A), Gary Graham (Gala), J Hill (Heriots), J Swanson (Bor), A Nagle, G Runciman (Melrose), M Cairns (Currie), H Watson (Ed A/EDP)

13 Responses

    1. I’m guessing that’s the same Rory Hutton as was at Edinburgh a few years back – how’s he been going, anyone? Always thought it was slightly suspect that he was let go from a pro contract, looked a decent prospect to me. Hope the same doesn’t happen to Wright with the Warriors

  1. It was always my impression that the club international squad was aimed at giving ordinary club players a chance to represent their country. This squad seems to hark back to the failed Gael Force team of several years ago, and is a real kick in the teeth for guys who fall on the wrong side of 24 and whose face doesn’t fit the SRUs template. I, for one, and quite aggrieved.

  2. Opeta Palepoi has been capped by Samoa so therefore he wouldn’t be available for selection whereas Nick Cox hasn’t represented England at senoir level!

  3. What is Rugger14 on about, these players are the best available at club level indeed some could be justifiably hacked off at not being on pro terms. Lee Miller comes to mind.

    1. @John Ellis

      I think he is referring to the EDPs in the squad, who are in fact full time pros and therefore should not strictly be selected in a Scotland “Club” XV which was supposed to be selected from amateur club players – not fringe pros. In several cases the EDPs are not currently deserving of a place ahead of some amateur players who are in better form yet it seems that the EDPs have been selected by default.
      I can see Rugger14’s frustration here and it is perfectly understandable.

  4. Take your point Ray, thank you, if better players out there are playing better then feel for them but we also need to develop our ” apprentices ” to find out if they can progress and justify investment.

  5. How there is no place for Peter Jerecevich is beyond me! Would also have liked to have seen guys like Stuart Corsar of Aberdeen Grammar involved

  6. These bunch of 22/24 year olds are going to go up against some hairy ass men from france!!!
    Soo would be aaking my selfis this a under25squad or what? If i compare the pack from lastseason to this,boys agaonst men id reckon

  7. Just noticed some other guys who do not even start for club teams. so have to agree with rugger14. These guys cannot be best to represent scotland when at least 3 struggle to make thier clubs 1st xv

  8. I believe Jerevich is contracted to the Scotland 7’s squad. Think Jerevich has been first pick as McConnell has been injured. Who will be first pick going forward is less clear…

  9. Jerecevich has held the 9 jersey pretty well with mcconnell only stafting cup games since his return. Whether the broken winter periodhas had an effect on mcconnells return remains to be seen.

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