With the first Scotland Club XV match of 2014 now only 25 days away head coach, Phil Leck has refined his squad for the two matches v Ireland (on Friday 7 February) and France (on Friday 7 March).

Leck has opted for a 15-12 split between forwards and backs with eight of the top-flight teams, from the Scottish leagues, represented.

RBS Premiership defending champions Ayr have the biggest presence in the squad now with eight players, followed by Gala who have five representing the Netherdale side.

Leck said: “Preparations are going well and we’re moving closer to the type of game plan we hope to execute in our two matches this year.

“Our 27-man squad here, cut from 41, reflects the players who have begun to put their hands up and stake a claim for the jerseys.

“We’re excited about the challenges ahead and feel that having started our preparations pre-Christmas this year has been beneficial and that it will stand us in good stead for our match v Scotland under-20 next week and then our two international fixtures next month.

Scotland Club XV have two international matches in 2014, the first will be played in Cork at Cork Constitution FC on Friday 7 February (kick-off 7.30pm). They will then be at home, where they’ll play France Fédérale. This game will be played at Old Anniesland in Glasgow on Friday 7 March, kick-off 7.30pm.

The squad will also have a training game against Scotland under-20 at Netherdale on Wednesday 22 January, kick-off 7pm.

Please note all Ayr players will not train with the squad this evening, as they are en route back from their British & Irish Cup match in Penzance yesterday.

Forwards: Alex Allan (Edinburgh Accies / Edinburgh Rugby), George Hunter (Ayr / Glasgow Warriors), Fergus Scott (Ayr / Glasgow Warriors), George Turner (Heriot’s / Edinburgh Rugby), Lindsey Gibson (Hawick), Ewan McQuillin (Gala / Edinburgh Rugby), Nick Cox (Ayr), Murray Douglas (Heriot’s), Callum Templeton (Ayr), Russell Nimmo (Heriot’s), Andy Redmayne (Glasgow Warriors / Glasgow Hawks), Andrew Nagle (Melrose), Will Bordill (Stirling County / Glasgow Warriors), Adam Ashe (Stirling County / Glasgow Warriors) and Gary Graham (Gala).

Backs: Greg Cottrell (Hawick), Peter Jericevich (Ayr), George Graham (Gala), Finn Russell (Ayr / Glasgow Warriors), *Richard Mill (Melrose), Nyle Godsmark (Edinburgh Accies), Grant Somerville (Gala), Jack Steele (Glasgow Hawks / Glasgow Warriors), Dean Kelbrick (Ayr), Chris Auld (Gala / Edinburgh Rugby), Craig Gossman (Ayr) and Fraser Thomson (Melrose).

*sportscotland Institute supported player

This article was posted on 13-Jan-2014, 15:13 by Hugh Barrow.