Given their strong links to both Scotland and New Zealand, it is no surprise that talented rugby playing brothers Finlay and Hamish Mather are looking forward to the Nations Championship clash between the two sides this Saturday.
Their New Zealand-born dad Cameron earned a number of Scotland caps in the back-row between 1999 and 2004 and was part of the squads that went to the Rugby World Cups in 1999 and 2003 having qualified via his Scottish grandfather.
And their mother Fiona is a proud Scot who has worked as a physio with many high-level athletes and teams.
The parents are now living in New Zealand, but the boys are playing rugby over here in the Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership and have both played age-grade rugby for Scotland.
Finlay, now 20, and Hamish, now 18, can both play in the second-row and back-row and grew up in Scotland until 2016 when the family moved to New Zealand.
Both have been back in this country since last season when Finlay worked hard to earn a spot in the Scotland under-20 squad for the Junior World Championship in Georgia which was held this summer and Hamish was a pupil at Strathallan School and played for Scotland under-18s in the Six Nations Festival in France this April.
“Our family has always been proudly Scottish and we are both excited to be around Edinburgh with the Scotland-New Zealand match taking place this coming weekend,” Finlay said.
“I’ve always supported Scotland in the fixture and was there the last time they played at Murrayfield last November supporting Scotland so hopefully they come away with a win this time.”
Hamish, who like Finlay began his rugby journey in the Currie minis, added: “Scotland has always been a big part of my life because I was born here.
“The family has strong connections to both Scotland and New Zealand and that is cool.
“I have a lot of love for New Zealand, but Scotland is the country that me, Finlay and dad have had the honour of representing in different teams.
“I’ll definitely be getting behind Scotland this coming weekend.”
Having not made the cut for the New Zealand under-20s squad, Finlay really did put in the hard yards to earn a chance with Scotland at the same age-grade.
“I dropped out of the University of Otago and moved back in with mum and dad so that I could really focus on my fitness,” Finlay, who is in the wider Edinburgh squad for November’s Inter-District Championship, explained.
“I was in the gym and running everyday then sent through a video of me playing club rugby in Auckland for Grammar Tec to Scotland under-20s head coach Fergus Pringle.
“He watched it and invited me to train with the 20s.
“By then I had already been in Scotland a few months previously watching Hamish play for Strathallan, but in May I came over again and began to train with the 20s and was delighted to make the squad for the Junior World Championship.
“The experience in Georgia was awesome and we finished a record-equalling fifth.
“The Scotland setup at under-20 level was extremely professional and I truly believe that we had one of the best coaching groups at the tournament.
“Fergus is the most technical coach I have played under and he truly helped me improve and take my game to the next level.
“It was also really cool to be coached by guys I had grown up watching in the shape of Henry Pyrgos and Duncan Weir.
“Given the great time dad had playing for Watsonians back in the day, both myself and Hamish were keen to play for the club too and I have been loving my time there so far this season.
“Playing in the same team as my wee brother has been a highlight because we work very well together on the field.
“The culture at Watsonians is really good and I believe we have the chance to do something special this year if things come together.
“I’ve been going to Myreside ever since I was born and there are photos of me sitting in the Scottish Cup when the club won it all the way back in 2006 when dad was head coach.
“The family connection to the club is clear as every time I’m in the clubhouse after a game folk come and introduce themselves to me saying that they knew or played with my dad back in the day. They speak very highly of him and his impact on the club so I’m very thankful for that and everyone there has made the transition into a new team very easy for me.”
As mentioned, Hamish was at Strathallan in Perthshire for his last year of school in 2025-26 and he said: “I really enjoyed my time at Sthrathallan.
It was a big change coming back to Scotland as an older person, but it was a great opportunity to develop as a rugby player and as a person.
“The rugby environment at Strath was excellent and winning the Scottish under-18s Conference with the school was a highlight.
“Playing in that competition helped me progress towards the Scotland under-18s and representing them in France was a massive honour and something I was really proud of.
“The Six Nations Festival was a great experience and I enjoyed testing myself against some of the best players of my age and it has motivated me to keep working hard and hopefully progress further.
“This season I’ve really enjoyed being part of things at Watsonians and getting used to the physicality of senior rugby.
“And what makes it even more special is playing in the same team as my brother.
“The family connection with Watsonians means a lot, myself and Finlay played a few times together when we were little, but to now be playing senior rugby alongside my brother is an experience to enjoy for sure.
“Being involved with Watsonians has also led to me playing some games for Edinburgh Rugby A so far this season too which has been a brilliant opportunity and something I’m really grateful for.
Being involved in that pro team ‘A’ environment has given me a good understanding of the standards that I need to be hitting consistently if I want to take the next step.
The pace and intensity in the games has been high and there’s a lot to learn from the coaches and players around you.
“My goal is to keep working hard and make the most of all of the opportunities that come my way in rugby.”