A host of Scotland’s top young rugby talent are gearing up for the all-Edinburgh Bell Lawrie Scottish Schools Cup finals on the international pitch at Murrayfield tomorrow (Wednesday 18 March, kick-off 6pm and 7.30pm) – admission is free.
The 2006 champions Stewart’s Melville College claimed their place in the under-18 final with an away win over North Berwick High School before Fettes College completed the finals day derby with a win over last year’s finalists George Watson’s College under the Myreside floodlights.
A host of Scotland’s top young rugby talent are gearing up for the all-Edinburgh Bell Lawrie Scottish Schools Cup finals on the international pitch at Murrayfield tomorrow (Wednesday 18 March, kick-off 6pm and 7.30pm) – admission is free.
The 2006 champions Stewart’s Melville College claimed their place in the under-18 final with an away win over North Berwick High School before Fettes College completed the finals day derby with a win over last year’s finalists George Watson’s College under the Myreside floodlights.
Stewart’s Melville College captain, Stewart Shaw, said: “I’m expecting a good atmosphere. A lot of the schools said they’re going to come down and give us their backing so hopefully we’ll get a good crowd down and enjoy the experience.”
Fettes College captain, Ross Turner, added: “We’re really excited about playing on the main pitch. It’s nice that the hard work’s paid off – we’ve had a tough couple of games to get here and we’re really looking forward to it.”
In the under-15 final Edinburgh Academy will take on city rivals and current holders George Watson’s College, who are targeting a third straight under-15 schools cup triumph.
Edinburgh Academy under-15 captain, Cameron Simpson, said: “We’ve got a lot of pace out wide and a good back-row so hopefully we can upset Watson’s three in a row attempt.
“It’s going to be a great game, and a great place to play as well. I watch Edinburgh and Scotland play here all the time so it’s a dream come true.”
George Watson’s College captain, Nick Hurn, said: “It’s always been my lifetime ambition to play at Murrayfield. This is a big thing for me and now that it’s the third time in a row we’ve been in the final so there’s even more pressure – but I’m putting all that behind me and just going to take it step by step and go for it.
“We’ve been together since we were very young and we know each other like the back of each others’ hands. We have strength and speed and when we play well we’re unstoppable. I’m pretty confident that we’ll do well.”
The Bell Lawrie Scottish Schools Cup Final is the first in the series of top youth rugby action taking place at the home of Scottish Rugby with the National Midi Finals (19 March) and National Youth Cup Finals (25 April) kicking-off in the coming weeks.
Bell Lawrie Scottish Schools Cup under-18 final teams
Stewart’s Melville College | Fettes College |
15 Rory Paterson 14 Scott Cook 10 Ross Grant (Edinburgh under-18) 1 Max Campbell (Edinburgh under-16) Substitutes | 15 Rory Daly 14 Ryan Black 10 Kit Gammell 1 Ross Turner (CAPTAIN) (Scotland under-18) Substitutes |
Bell Lawrie Scottish Schools Cup under-15 final teams
Edinburgh Academy | George Watson’s College |
15 Robbie Orr 14 Alex Harris 10 Zander Muir 1 Tom Mitchell Substitutes | 15 Dominic Johnston 14 Jack Broadley 10 Euan McKean 1 Sean Sproule Substitutes |
The Bell Lawrie Scottish School’s Cup final will take place on Wednesday 18 March at Murrayfield stadium – admission is free
Under-15: Edinburgh Academicals v George Watson’s College (kick-off 6pm)
Under-18: Stewart’s Melville College v Fettes College (kick-off 7.30pm)
Match day information
• There will be free parking, on a first come first served basis in the Coach Park at Murrayfield, from 4pm
• The coach park can be accessed via Saughtonhall Avenue. Please access the stadium from the west turnstiles, which will be open from 4.30pm
• Entry is free and seating will be in lower west stand. The under 15 final kicks off at 6pm and the under-18 final kicks off at 7.30pm. The Scottish Rugby store will be open until 9pm, and food and hot drinks will be on sale in the West Stand. Alcohol will not be available and bags may be searched on entry to the stadium.
Competition information
• Entries for the 2008/2009 Bell Lawrie Scottish Schools Cup have set another new record with 35 more teams entering Scottish Rugby’s flagship schools competition than ever before
• The tournament has broken entry records for the past three consecutive years with the total number of competing teams soaring from 184 in 2006/2007 to 244 in 2008/2009 – a massive 33% increase
• Investment manager Bell Lawrie, due to re-brand as Brewin Dolphin next month, is to extend its sponsorship of the Scottish Schools Cup to include a girls’ competition
• The new three-year deal will see the partnership with Scottish Rugby extended until 2012 and will adopt the new title ‘The Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools Cup’
The National Midi and Youth Cup Finals, which sees the best young club rugby talent go head to head, will take place on the Murrayfield main pitch on Sunday 29 March and Saturday 25 April respectively
National midi finals - Sunday 29 March
Under-15 girls: (Gala RFC or Atholl RFC/ Breadalbane Academy) v (Carrick Academy or Aboyne/Banchory Academies) (kick-off 12 noon)
Under-15: Ayr v Stirling County (kick-off 1.30pm)
Under-16: Musselburgh v Dumfries (3pm)
National Youth Cup final - Saturday 25 April
Under-18 girls: Murrayfield Wanderers v (Aboyne/Banchory Academies or Cumnock RFC)
Under-18 boys: Currie Colts v Stirling County (kick-off 7.30pm)
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