2004/05 Season Review
Last season was for the Under 21 National side their most successful
season ever, with 6 Nations home wins against Ireland (first ever
at this level), Italy and an away victory against England at Franklin
Gardens, Northampton. This culminated in a respectable third place
in the Championship table. The season continued in Mendoza, Argentina
with the Under 21 World Championships, were the squad
finished a creditable sixth from twelve teams and included a very
close fought game against Australia (runners up to South Africa)
and a well deserved victory against Wales.
The squad of players who represented Scotland Under 21’s last season
where a credit to their club and country, they also started to lay
the foundations for the future players at this level to continue to take
positive steps forward.
All the players, management and coaches involved in the preparation
and participation of last season were left in no doubt that any
success at this level requires a considerable amount of hard work
and we would like to thank you for all your co-operation last season.
Newsletter
September 05
Welcome to our first Scotland Under 21 Newsletter, we will be producing this on a monthly basis throughout the season, with the main aim
of keeping all qualifying players, club coaches and members fully updated and informed as to all our activities and aims for this coming season.
It was identified that the step up, necessary to compete at this level was large and exposure to a higher intensity of game was essential for
players to gain experience. Last year this was provided by Orange Free State University, the university champions from South Africa, Newcastle
Falcons Development team and the Borders Back up, these games provided excellent tough opposition and the springboard towards a
much more focussed approach by the squad towards the 6 Nations Championship.
The recognition that this was vital for us to improve was reinforced in Argentina when many members of the squad commented, that for us to
continue to improve and compete at this highly competitive level, then the on going strength and conditioning work must persist and warm
up games against quality opposition were a necessity.
The Season Ahead
Our plans and preparation for this coming season will be similar to last year (see warm up fixtures below) and we will again need the support
and co-operation of all clubs who will have player’s involved in the squad.
Our sessions will be limited to one Tuesday evening per month until the end of December (see session dates below) and apart from our September
session we will only select our considered ‘Core Squad’ of 26 players.
Once again we would like to thank you for all the support we are receiving, the decision which was accepted by the Premier 1 Representatives
for all Core Squad players to be released after the league fixture on the 7th January gives us the best possible opportunity to prepare and
organise the squad for the challenges of the Six Nations Championship.
I fully appreciate this may cause some concern in certain quarters, but we are taking this approach with the players benefit in mind, we have
such a small player base to select from at this level, the need to maximise what potential we have is vital, this will give these young men the
best possible opportunity to prepare and organise to compete at this level.
It is crucial for our game in Scotland that we start to become accustomed to success at all levels and with your help and assistance I am certain
this can be achieved.
Finally, we are keen for feedback regarding what we are doing; plus information on any exciting young players who we may have missed
and lastly we look forward to catching up with everyone as we go round the grounds over the coming months.
11th October Training Session 5.30 - 8.00pm Murrayfield
8th/15th November Training Session 5.30 - 8.00pm Murrayfield
21st November Match vs Edinburgh Back-up 3.00 - 9.00pm (K.O. 6.30pm) Murrayfield
29th November Training Session 4.00 - 6.00pm Murrayfield
30th November Match vs Stellenbosch Uni. K.O. 2.00pm Peffermill
13th December Training Session 5.30 - 8.00pm Murrayfield
28th December Squad Day 9.00 - 3.30pm Murrayfield
U21 Training and Game Dates 2005
Scotland U21 squad celebrate after their victory against
England in last years Six Nations
England 17 - 19 Scotland

This article was posted on 16-Sep-2005, 11:47 by Hugh Barrow.