SEVEN SCOTS TO MAKE CLUB INTERNATIONAL DEBUTS

The Scotland Club International team – that will face France for the first time at this level next month – includes seven players who are making their debut.
Captained by one of those newcomers, John Dalziel, the Melrose back-row forward, the squad is drawn from ten clubs, all in Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership Division 1.
Manager Ian Rankin, who has been involved as a coach since the concept was launched three years ago, said: “Players from the form teams in the league are reaping the benefit.
“Preparation has been testing given pitch conditions but the response from the players has been excellent.
“The Club International team has become part of the fabric of club rugby in Scotland and it provides a very clear target to which players aspire.”
Coached by Ally Donaldson and Kevin Barrie, the Scots will face opposition that have already played – on a pre-season tour to Siberia.
Scotland Club International team to play France Club International team on Friday 13 February in Rouen, kick-off 6pm local time
15 Fraser Harkness (Selkirk) *
14 Calum Anderson (Melrose) *
13 Malcolm Clapperton (Boroughmuir)
12 Dougie Brown (Watsonians)
11 Lee Jones (Selkirk) *
10 Scott Wight (Melrose) *
9 Richard Snedden (Currie)
1 Alan Dymock (Heriot’s) *
2 Pat MacArthur (Ayr)
3 Elliot McLaren (West of Scotland)
4 Damien Kelly (Ayr)
5 Scott Sutherland (Ayr) *
6 John Dalziel (Melrose) CAPTAIN *
8 Ross Weston (Currie)
7 Andy Dunlop (Ayr)
Substitutes: 16 Scott Burnett (Heriot’s) *, 17 Gordon Reid (Ayr) *, 18 Allan Kelly (Glasgow Hawks) *, 19 Dan Teague (Edinburgh Accies) *, 20 Alasdhair MacFarlane (Ayr), 21 Gavin Craig (Selkirk) *, 22 Colin Goudie (Heriot’s).
* = Newcomer to Scotland Club International team
Five players from the Scotland Club International team last season went on to win professional contracts – front row forwards Jon Welsh, Sean Crombie and Bruce McNeil, wing Marc Teague and stand-off Andrew Skeen.
Our picture shows Currie scrum-half Richard Snedden in action against the Ireland Club International team last season.

This article was originally posted on 2-Feb-2009, 23:22 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 2-Feb-2009, 23:25.