Scotland U18 held a trial game between their home based players and their exiles at Peffermill on Sunday.
The home based side won by a surprisingly dominant 29-0 margin, suggesting that they will likely form the bulk of the U18 squad when it is announced.
The game was part of Scotland’s preparations for the inaugural 5 Nations tournament at the end of March, and the 44 players included on Sunday will be reduced to 26 by the time selection for the opening fixture against England U18 on Sunday 6th March in Stirling takes place.
Prior of the game, U18 Head Coach Ally Donaldson said:
“It is and important part of our preparations for our upcoming fixture against England and the 5 Nations tournament. It will give us a chance to look closely at the group of players who are available to us and help us select our final 26-man squad.”
“We’ve been working closely with the home-based players and the Exiles and are keen to see them in a comparative environment. Some players have been unlucky to have missed out on this selection, but could still force their way into our thoughts.”
Scotland U18 Home Based Squad
Forwards
Ross Dunbar – Stirling County RFC/Linlithgow Academy
Calum Eastwood – George Watson’s College
Lewis Mclean – Strathallan School
Euan McLaren – Dollar Academy
Robbie Smith – Ayr RFC/Douglas Ewart High School
Paul Cairncross – Kelvinside Academy/East Kilbride RFC
Jamie Hodgson – Stewart Melville College
Dean Roger – Highland RFC
Andrew Horne – Preston Lodge RFC
Matt Fagerson – Strathallan School
Callum Cruikshank – Dollar Academy
Jack Bruce – Strathallan School
Ryan Sweeney – The Glasgow Academy
Backs
Harry Warr – Dollar Academy
Fraser Peters – George Watson’s College
Grant Hughes – Dollar Academy
Mark New – Strathallan School
Cameron Hutchison – George Heriot’s School/North Berwick RFC
Stafford MacDowell – Merchiston Castle School
Ben Eynon – Strathallan School
Aaron Tait – Merchiston Castle School
Ben Appleson – The Edinburgh Academy
Scotland U18 Exiles Squad
Forwards
William Bowie – Bradford Grammar School
Bobby Bratton – St Matthew Academy
Andrew Christie – Harrow/Saracens
Alan Gregory – Kings, Ely/Northampton Saints
Tyrone Heffron – Ivybridge
Ralph Johnston – Gosforth HS/Newcastle Falcons
Daniel Marek – Richard Huish College/Bath
Gregor Ramage – Brighton College
Jack Samuel – Bedwas Comprehensive
Ben Scoular – Warwick School
Tavis Hunter – Oaklands College
Backs
Daniel Brady – St.Edwards Oxford
Fraser Dingwall – Bedford School/Northampton Saints
Arthur Friend – Blundells School
Charlie Gowling – Sedburgh/Newcastle Falcons
Rory McMichael – Wellington College/Harlequins
Tom Nicole – Cranleigh/Harlequins
Alexander Nisbet – Bromsgrove School/Worcester Warriors
Marcus Ramage – Brighton College
Cameron Redpath – Kings School, Macclesfield/Sale
Fraser Strachan – Bedford School/Northampton Saints
Eric White – Hartpury College/Gloucester
