Thirteen may be unlucky for some, but recently for Merchiston Castle the number showed just how far the rugby programme within the school has come in the last few years.
That is because over the weekend of March 15, 16 and 17 there were 13 rugby players with connections to the school representing Scotland.
On the Friday night Matt Davidson was at full-back when Scotland played England at under-20 level in Northampton to finish off their age-grade Six Nations campaign.
Winger Rufus McLean was also part of the under-20s squad for that tournament and would have been involved, but for injury.
The two former pupils have now returned to their respective clubs London Scottish and Watsonians as they begin working towards selection for the age-grade World Championships this summer.
The following day three other former pupils were with Scotland at Twickenham.
Magnus Bradbury, recently back from a long-term shoulder issue, started at No.8 and played a big part as Scotland bounced back from 31-7 down to end up with a 38-38 draw at the home of English rugby.
Bradbury scored a cracking try while hooker Fraser Brown came on in the second half and added some much needed energy to the visitors.
Stafford McDowall, last year’s Scotland under-20 captain, was also at Twickenham as 24th man to give him a taste of the big time.
And given the season the centre is having with Glasgow Warriors it can only be a matter of time until the 21-year-old earns a full cap.
On the Sunday eight current school pupils were in action for national age-grade teams.
Two Scottish under-16 squads – the Reds and the Blues – played Newcastle Falcons’ youngsters in a triangular event in the north of England.
And Merchiston’s Teddy Thomson, James Lascelles, Ben Afshar, Rudi Brown, Guy Napier and Adam Wight were all involved.
This month Scotland under-16s will head down to Wales for a tournament and the boys are all in the mix for the tour.
Also in April Scotland under-18s will be in Gloucestershire to play in the Six Nations Festival.
Jamie Dobie, Matthew Currie and Dan Gamble played for the under-18s in their warm-up game against England in Billingham on March 17.
The trio also all scored tries in that one.
Players with Merchiston Castle connections involved with Scotland between March 15 and March 17
Scotland:
Magnus Bradbury, Fraser Brown, Stafford McDowall
Under-20s:
Matt Davidson
Under-18s:
Jamie Dobie, Matthew Currie, Dan Gamble
Under-16s:
Teddy Thomson, James Lascelles, Ben Afshar, Ruid Brown, Guy Napier, Adam Wight
Merchiston’s Summer Rugby Camp will run from Sunday 21 July 2019 to Friday 26 July 2019. Please click here to register.
The rugby camp is professionally designed and tailored to meet the individual development needs of every player.
The progressive programme includes:
- Individual skill and unit development sessions
- Game and positional understanding
- Video analysis i.e. goal kicking techniques
- Strength & conditioning, fitness and injury prevention workshops
- Nutritional and lifestyle seminars
- Leadership and team building activities
“This rugby camp experience will kick-start your season and allow you to hit the ground running!” Roddy Deans, Director of Rugby and Scotland U16 Head Coach.
If you have any enquiries regarding the camp, please call +44 131 312 2231 or email [email protected]