The players were among the latest group of youngsters to catch the rugby bug thanks to the governing body’s breakthrough initiative G4S Street Rugby – an easy to play and portable version of the game, created to engage with young people in less advantaged areas where crime and anti-social behaviour are high.

With the players scattered across the region from a number of Street Rugby sites – from Methill and Upper Largo to Oakley and Abbey View – Scottish Rugby organised transport to and from the tournament and tickets to the professional match.

Scottish Rugby’s Community Rugby Project Development Manager, Neil Carrie, added: “The G4S Street Rugby programmes across Fife have really taken off and bringing the kids together at the national stadium was a great way to inspire them, give them something to train for and encourage them to commit to the sport and a healthier lifestyle longer term.

“In partnership with the neighbourhood youth workers and the club development officers we have promoted G4S Street Rugby in the right areas at the right times.

“All components are now falling into place with clubs, like Glenrothes, recognising it as a great way to recruit new players and now offer coaching support to expand the reach of the programme even further because it’s important that we reach out and attract players from beyond what traditionally would have been their catchment area.”

Since its launch in 2009 thousands of young people have been introduced to the sport all over Scotland through the non-contact form of rugby that establishes the basic passing and running elements before coaching the more ambitious participants in the elements of the contact game as the sessions progress.

Colin Thomson, Scottish Rugby’s head of community rugby, said: “We believe that G4S Street Rugby can play a major role in helping young Scots to become healthier, safer and stronger while increasing the opportunities for young Scots to play rugby – especially those in disadvantaged areas.

“We want to be the fastest growing sport in Scotland and we’ve set out our targets in our five year plan to have an extra 11,000 regular players by 2012. We can link this activity to schools and local rugby clubs throughout our nationwide network of jointly funded development officers.”

Over the last two years Scottish Rugby, working in partnership with rugby clubs and local authorities has put in place a network of jointly funded development officers to work with volunteers to boost numbers playing rugby.

Since the Scottish Rugby development restructure in 2006, the total number of people playing rugby has risen by around 21% (from circa 24,200 to 30,500) while, importantly,  the number of young people playing rugby has risen by about 24% (from circa 15,200 to 20,000).

Scottish Government Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “Many of these young people probably didn’t consider that rugby was a sport for them before this initiative came along.  But by bringing rugby to the streets, they have been able to see that it is fun, it is healthy, and it is well and truly something for them.

“I congratulate all those involved in organising this weekend’s events.  It is sure to be truly memorable for all involved and who knows, some of the kids involved might be coming back to Murrayfield in years to come to represent their country.

“But the most important thing is that all young people are able to see that there is more to life than petty crime and getting out of your head on drink and drugs. That is why, through the CashBack for Communities scheme, we are committed to taking the crooks’ ill-gotten gains and putting them towards activities such as this – benefiting the young people and the wider community.”

Mark Hamilton, Managing Director, G4S Events, added: “I am pleased to hear of the appointment of a development officer for the G4S Street Rugby Scheme.

"I firmly believe this crucial investment will contribute to the development of the children in our local communities and help them reach their full potential.  At G4S we are all proud of the success of the scheme and our contribution in helping to reduce anti-social behaviour and crime in the local areas where our staff, and visitors to the events we supply services to, live.”