Former Stirling High School pupil Matthew Is a product of the renowned Stirling County player production line, with his side lifting the National Youth Cup in 2013.
The openside back-row forward, who now studies Electrical Engineering at Glasgow Kelvin College, has been part of Scottish Rugby’s pathway programme since the under-17 age-grade.
Sport is clearly in the genes of the Smith family: Matthew’s great grandfather (Alex Smith) was a footballer for Rangers FC, his sister (Hannah) is a capped Scotland rugby internationalist, while Matthew himself is also certificated, advanced open water scuba diver.