RANKIN NAMES SQUAD FOR CLUB INTERNATIONAL

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 7pm 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 (kick-off 7pm)

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.

This article was posted on 28-Feb-2007, 18:26 by Hugh Barrow.