Former FOSROC Super6 Players set to earn international honours

Three former FOSROC Super6 players could earn themselves international honours tomorrow afternoon when Scotland face Tonga at BT Murrayfield.

Jamie Hodgson will become the first former FOSROC Super6 player to win an international Scotland cap when he runs out onto BT Murrayfield in the number four jersey.

The second row started all 10 games for Watsonians Rugby in the inaugural FOSROC Super6 season in 2019. He signed a full-time contract with Edinburgh Rugby in January 2021 and has gone on to appear 26 times for the capital club.

Two more FOSROC Super6 players could also earn their first international honours tomorrow afternoon if they make appearances from the bench.

Second-row Marshall Sykes was a Stage 3 FOSROC Scottish Rugby Academy player in 2019. He was part of the Ayrshire Bulls’ first ever squad where he made six starts from eight appearances for the Millbrae side. In June 2020 he signed his first professional contract with Edinburgh Rugby - since then he has gone on to make 10 appearances for the club.

Marshall Sykes takes the ball in the lineout for Ayrshire Bulls in their first ever FOSROC Super6 game against Heriot's on Sunday 10 November 2019

Ross Thompson was also a FOSROC Scottish Rugby Academy Stage 3 player last season, he too was part of the Ayrshire Bulls squad.

The young stand-off made his first two appearances for the Bulls from the bench, then started every game after that earning himself two FOSROC Player of the Match awards along the way. Whilst learning his trade at Millbrae he scored 69 points for the Bulls with one try, 20 conversions and 8 penalties to his name.

Thompson appeared in his first game for Glasgow Warriors against Edinburgh Rugby in January this year, one week later he faced Edinburgh once again and earned himself a man-of-the-match performance kicking 13 points in his first start for the club.

He signed his first professional contract with the Warriors in February and was awarded both the McCrea Financial Services Player of the Season and the Land Rover Young Player of the Season awards by the Scotstoun team.

Scottish Rugby’s Director of Performance Rugby Jim Mallinder said: “It’s fantastic to see the first cohort of FOSROC Super6 Players progressing onto the international rugby stage. It’s pleasing to know that the FOSROC Super6 has helped facilitate playing opportunities for this next generation of players which has contributed to their selection as part of the Scotland squad at BT Murrayfield tomorrow afternoon.”