Club international squad selected

February 28, 2007

Club international squad selected

Posted by Editor on February 28, 2007 03:24 PM | 5 comments | Print | E-mail author

AJ McFarlane is involved in his second club international match

Players from ten Premiership clubs have been selected in the Scotland Club International squad for their match against their Irish counterparts.

The game takes place at Meggetland, home of Boroughmuir RFC in Edinburgh, on Friday 9 March with a 7.00pm kick-off.

Admission will be £10 for adults and £5 for children, students and pensioners.

Scotland Club International coach Ian Rankin said: "We involved a total of 41 players in our first training session and last weekend's trial and we're grateful to coaches throughout the Premiership for the insight they've offered on players.

"Having seen the Ireland Club International side in their victory over England last weekend I was very impressed with their organisation. They played against an England side that was significantly bigger but they out-thought them and, ultimately, out-played them.

"I also know, however, that we have talented players in the club game here in Scotland who are very much looking ahead to this contest. There is an immense honour in representing Scotland and that feeling of pride is shared by the players, the clubs and the communities that they represent. The more Scottish support we can get along to Meggetland on the night, the better."

The squad includes six players involved in the inaugural club international, played at Donnybrook, Dublin, last season, which was won by the Irish. They are – Rory Couper, Murray Strang, Alasdhair McFarlane, Bruce McNeil, Tam McVie and Angus Martyn.

Scotland Club international squad for the match with Ireland Club international side at Meggetland, Edinburgh on Friday 9 March (ko 7.00pm)

Backs – Matt Coupar (Watsonians), Rory Couper (Boroughmuir), Cameron Goodall, John Houston (both Heriot's), Alasdhair McFarlane (Ayr), Andrew Skeen (Watsonians), Murray Strang (Glasgow Hawks), Marc Teague (Heriot's), Graham Thomson (Dundee HSFP), James Thompson (Heriot’s)

Forwards – Andy Adam, Scott Burnett, Mark Cairns (all Currie), Ben Fisher (Boroughmuir), Richard Higgins (Melrose), Andy Kelly (GHA), Damien Kelly (Ayr), Steve Lawrie (Watsonians), Angus Martyn (Boroughmuir), Bruce McNeil (Hawick), Tam McVie (Heriot's), Jeff Nicolson (Watsonians)

The Scotland Club International team will be named next Wednesday.

Posted by Moody Blue on March 1, 2007 07:07 AM | Reply to this comment

Don't like to throw a spanner in works especially when it is good to see Glasgow boys being honoured but how is Andy Kelly eligible for this team? I thought you had to be out of the pro ranks for 3 years before you qualified? If Andy is eligible then so is Ally Warnock, Rory Kerr and even Gordon Bulloch!

Posted by lard on March 1, 2007 08:21 AM | Reply to this comment

I may be wrong, but i think Andy Kelly was only ever an apprentice player for the warriors, and was never on a full time professional contract. This should make him eligible under the current rules, however I dont think any player that has played professionally should be allowed to play for this side.

Posted by Euan on March 1, 2007 05:21 PM | Reply to this comment

That would be a bit harsh on the young player that gets an apprentice contract for a year, say, but never makes it in the pro game or decides to pursue a different career.

Posted by lard on March 1, 2007 08:25 AM | Reply to this comment

In addition, I have noticed that Steve Lawrie, an apprentice player at Edinburgh has also just signed a tow year professional contract. Does this make him ineligible also?

Posted by hugh on March 1, 2007 12:28 PM | Reply to this comment

should do