Grant hughes sct u18s 5n17 proof#3

Scotland U18s 2017

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The Scotland under-18 season is the culmination of

Scottish Rugby’s under-16, under-17 and under-18 programmes.

As a transition between the under-17 and under-18 programmes, identified players take part in a national development camp, which has been held for the last few years in Valladolid in Spain, in July. The focus of the camp is to expose the players to a professional environment, providing them with a greater understanding of what is required to perform at the highest level while improving their ability to take responsibility for their own development. On the pitch the emphasis is on individual and position specific skills while off the field players are exposed to a number of high performance cultures including goal setting, video analysis, strength and conditioning, performance nutrition and hydrating strategies.

Scotland U18 squad announced for International Series 04/04/17 The Scotland U18 squad to compete in the inaugural U18 International Series in Wales over the Easter period has been announced.

The 26-man squad will travel to Cardiff on Thursday ahead of their first fixture against Wales on Saturday 8 April in Pontypridd (kick-off 7.15pm).

The squad have prepared for the tournament with a series of matches, playing and losing their first (31-17) to a strong England U18 outfit, before being

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edged out 19-7 by a Scotland U19 Development side last month.

Scotland U18 Head Coach, Ally Donaldson, said: “We have had a fairly intensive period of training leading up to the International Series and have picked a squad who are well prepared and will flourish in the intense environment we will face in Wales.

We have three matches in eight days and all players will start at least one match, with the emphasis being on development and improvement.”

U18 International Series Fixtures Saturday 8 April at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park: - England v Canada (2.30pm) - Ireland v Italy (5pm) - Wales v Scotland (8.05pm) Wednesday 12 April at Parc y Scarlets, Llanell: - Scotland v Italy (3.30pm) - England v Ireland (5.15pm) - Wales v Canada (7.35pm) Sunday 16 April at CCB Centre for Sporting Excellence, Ystrad Mynach: - Italy v Canada (12 noon) - Scotland v England (2.30pm) - Wales v Ireland (4.15pm)

shire) Rory Darge* (North Berwick High School) Drew Davison (Gosforth High School / Newcastle Falcons)** Connor Boyle* (Stewart’s Melville College) Jack Hutchison (Sedbergh School / Newcastle Falcons)** Jack McLean (The Glasgow Academy)

Scotland U18 squad to play at the U18 International Series Forwards Euan MacLaren* CAPTAIN (Dollar Academy) Dan York* (St Aloysius’ College) Andrew Nimmo (Biggar) Murphy Walker (Strathallan School) Finlay Scott* (Jed Thistle) Angus Fraser* (High School of Dundee) Marshall Sykes (St Joseph’s College Ipswich / Northampton Saints) ** Oliver Cattell (Beechen Cliff School/Bath Academy)** Cameron Henderson (Strathallan School / Perth-

*BT Sport Scottish Rugby Stage 2 player **Scottish Exile

Backs Roan Frostwick* (North Berwick High School) Gus Warr* (Dollar Academy) Ross Thompson (Stewart’s Melville College) Matt Davidson (Merchiston Castle School) Andrew McLean* (Morrison’s Academy / Stirling County) Rory McMichael (Wellington College / London Irish)** Cameron Symes (Stewart’s Melville College) Grant Hughes* (Dollar Academy) James McCaig (Strathallan School / Perthshire) Jack Blain (Stewart’s Melville College) Jacob Lineen (Stewart’s Melville College) Jon Searle (Brighton College / Harlequins)**

Scotland U18 named to face England in final series clash 16/04/17 The Scotland U18 team to face England U18 in the U18 International Series at the CCB Centre for Sporting Excellence, Ystrad Mynach, today (Sunday 16 April, kick-off 2.30pm) has been named.

The fixture is the squad’s third and final in this year’s tournament, where Ally Donaldson’s troops have previously recorded a 22-6 loss to Wales U18 and a 28-22 victory over Italy U18.

Speaking after Wednesday’s victory over Italy, Don-

aldson, said: “We produced a very satisfying performance against a strong and mature Italian team. The squad played some good attacking rugby and created a lot of chances and also defended well for long periods.”

Scotland U18 team to play England U18 at CCB Centre for Sporting Excellence, Sunday 16 April (kick-off 2.30pm) 15. James McCaig (Strathallan School / Perthshire) 14. Jack Blain (Stewart’s Melville College) 13. Rory McMichael (Wellington College / London Irish)** 12. Grant Hughes (Dollar Academy)* 11. Jacob Lineen (Stewart’s Melville College) 10. Ross Thompson (Stewart’s Melville College) 9. Gus Warr (Dollar Academy / Sale Sharks) 1. Andrew Nimmo (Biggar) 2. Finlay Scott (Jed Thistle)* 3. Euan McLaren (Dollar Academy) 4. Marshall Sykes (St Joseph’s College / Northampton Saints)** 5. Oliver Cattell (Beechen Cliff School / Bath Academy)** 6. Drew Davison (Gosforth Academy / Newcastle Falcons)** 7. Connor Boyle (Stewart’s Melville College) CAPTAIN 8. Rory Darge (North Berwick High School / NBRFC)* Replacements 16. Calum Renwick (Hawick Wanderers) 17. Murphy Walker (Strathallan School) 18. Dan York (St Aloysius’ College)* 19. Jack McLean (The Glasgow Academy) 20. Jack Hutchinson (Sedbergh School / Newcastle Falcons)**

21. Roan Frostwick (North Berwick High School / NBRFC) 22. Matt Davidson (Merchiston Castle School) 23. Jon Searle (Brighton College / Harlequins Academy)** 24. Will Owen (Melrose Wasps / Earlston High School)

MATCH REPORT | Scotland U18 24 - 45 England

U18 16/04/17

Scotland U18 lost out 24-45 to a physical England U18 outfit at the CCB Centre for Sporting Excellence, Ystrad Mynach, on Sunday

afternoon in their final game of the 2017 U18 International Series.

In what was a close affair in the first-half, Scotland produced an impressive performance and were five points a drift from England at the break after two converted tries put pressure on the English defence.

The second chapter of the match saw England gain control and run out as eventual winners after gaining momentum in the final quarter, despite Scotland’s best efforts in attack to draw themselves level after the break.

Scotland U18 Head Coach, Ally Donaldson, said: “The result didn’t reflect how close the match was, as it was a performance full of effort and skill from Scotland.

We were 19-19 with 16 minutes to go and camped on England’s line when we gave away a penalty which they tapped and run the length. It knocked the wind out our sails but it shouldn’t detract from our performance.

“Overall, a very satisfying campaign for our boys, which showed improvement in each game and provided a massive education all round.”

After 12 minutes, it was England who took an ear-

ly lead with a try left unconverted before Scotland showed their intent in attack moments later.

Centre Rory McMichael made the most of possession in the 22 and crossed for Scotland’s first try with outhalf Ross Thompson adding the extras to go in front.

England responded swiftly with another try and a conversion to keep the scores close before Thompson pushed a penalty wide of the sticks which hasd the potential to extend Scotland’s narrow lead.

The interval soon approached and England had the final say with a third try providing them with the upper hand at the break.

Half-time: Scotland U18 14 – 19 England U18 Minutes into the second-half, Scotland drew level with winger Jack Blain touching down as Thompson narrowly missed the conversion.

The momentum swung once again in the 54th minute and it was England who recorded a converted try to gain back control.

Scotland then utilised the bench with James McCaig, Jack Hutchinson and Calum Renwick looking to impact play but England went on the attack once more and were rewarded with a converted try to extend their lead.

England claimed two further scores to cement their victory before Roan Frostwick restored Scottish pride after snatching the final try of the match.

Full-time: Scotland U18 24 – 45 England U18 Scotland U18: James McCaig; Jack Blain, Rory McMichael, Grant Hughes, Jacob Lineen; Ross Thompson, Gus Warr; Andrew Nimmo, Finlay Scott, Euan McLaren, Marshall Sykes, Oliver Cattell, Drew Davison, Connor Boyle CAPTAIN, Rory Darge. Replacements: Calum Renwick, Murphy Walker, Dan York, Jack McLean, Jack Hutchinson, Roan Frostwick, Matt Davidson, Jon Searle, Will Owen.

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Scotland U18s 2017 Euan MacLaren CAPTAIN, Dan York, Andrew Nimmo, Murphy Walker, Finlay Scot, Euan McLaren, Angus Fraser, Marshall Sykes, Oliver Cattell, Cameron Henderson, Rory Darge, Drew Davison, Connor Boyle, Jack Hutchison, Jack McLean, Backs: Roan Frostwick, Gus Warr, Ross Thompson, Matt Davidson, Andrew McLean, Rory McMichael, Cameron Symes, Grant Hughes, James McCaig, Jack Blain, Jacob Lineen, Jon Searle gpfoto

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