Edinburgh Rugby Supporters Club

Arlene · World Cup Star Joined: 07 Sep 2005 Posts: 579

Scotland ‘A’ team head coach, Rob Moffat, has selected a 27-man-squad to travel to North America next month for the 2008 Barclays Churchill Cup.

Moffat’s squad features a blend of youthful talent and hardened international experience with 19 uncapped players joining eight capped internationalists. One additional player will be added later this month taking the squad to 28.

On the players he has selected for the tour, Moffat said: “We’ve got an exciting group of players. There’s a good mix of ambitious young players and a few internationals.

“Although the average age of the squad is relatively young, I’m confident that the players are ready to take that next step up and contribute to a successful tour.”

This year’s Scotland A team will be captained by Glasgow Warriors hooker, Fergus Thomson.

Speaking about his appointment, Thomson said: “Although I was disappointed not to make the Scotland tour to Argentina, it’s a great honour to captain my country at ‘A’ level.”

The Barclays Churchill Cup aims to develop and grow the sport of rugby union across Canada and the USA.

The tournament has grown in success since 2003 when just 5,000 people attended. In 2006, when Scotland defeated England Saxons and Canada to reach the final, the tournament attracted over 28,000 spectators.

In June 2008, the tournament - which is named after British Prime Minister Winston Churchill - will be contested by Scotland A, England Saxons, Canada, USA, Ireland A and Argentina Pumas.

The Scotland A squad (sponsor Murray) to compete at the 2008 Barclays Churchill Cup In North America next month is…

Backs: Scott Barrow (Glasgow Warriors), David Blair (Edinburgh), Marcus Di Rollo (Toulouse), Max Evans (Glasgow Warriors), Rob Dewey (Ulster), Colin Gregor (Glasgow Warriors), Steve Jones (Newcastle Falcons), Calum MacRae (Edinburgh), Mark McMillan (Wasps), Sam Pinder (Glasgow Warriors), Roland Reid, Mark Robertson (both Edinburgh), Gordon Ross (Saracens)

Forwards: Geoff Cross (Edinburgh), Jon Dunbar (Leeds Tykes), James Eddie, Ed Kalman (both Glasgow Warriors), Andrew Kelly, Alan MacDonald (both Edinburgh), Andy Miller (Exeter), Scott Newlands (Edinburgh), Fergus Pringle (Edinburgh), Craig Smith (Edinburgh), Stevie Swindall, Fergus Thomson, Dan Turner (all Glasgow Warriors), David Young (Leicester Tigers), plus one more player who will be selected later this month.

Scotland A’s fixtures at the 2008 Barclays Churchill Cup
Saturday 7 June, Twin Elm Rugby Park, Ottawa – Canada v Scotland A (kick-off 4:30pm local time)
Wednesday 11 June, Richardson Stadium, Kingston – Argentina v Scotland A (kick-off 4:35pm)
Saturday 21 June, Toyota Park, Chicago – Finals Day

Team Management
Head coach – Rob Moffat
Coaches – Shade Munro, Gary Mercer, Stephen Gemmell
Strength & conditioning coach – Neill Potts
Doctor – Dr Alistair Nicol
Physiotherapists – Lisa Casey and Louise Wright
Analyst – Rob Holdsworth
Team manager – Karen Burnett

djphilp · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 5:36 pm Post subject:

How the hell do Marcus Di Rollo and Rob Dewey get the nod ahead of John Houston??? Evil or Very Mad

Neither of them have played that much, in fact has Di Rollo played at all. What the F is going on in Scottish Rugby selection is a joke at the moment.

miss-tink · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 6:36 pm Post subject: Re: Churchill Cup Squad

MikeyBlair2004 · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 6:43 pm Post subject:

the games are on sky sports for all who is interested watching the guys

superl99 · World Cup Star Joined: 01 May 2007 Posts: 447

Don't knock that minute miss-tink, he accomplished as much in that minute as he had in the several hundred minutes he played for Scotland and Edinburgh before that! Very Happy

GuitarHero · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 7:17 pm Post subject:

miss-tink · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 7:21 pm Post subject:

miss-tink · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 7:23 pm Post subject:

Jon · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 10:31 pm Post subject:

Never mind MDR getting in ahead f Houston, what about Mark Robertson who is on the bench this saturday for his first appearance of the season!?!?

GuitarHero · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 10:34 pm Post subject:

Jon · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 10:37 pm Post subject:

hmmm, could be right

as far as dewey returning, the information I have is AR is happy with squad, could go for 1 more if right player comes along but it won't be a returning scot

Derrick Lee's #1 Fan · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 12:31 am Post subject:

Crichton Gunner · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 4:25 pm Post subject:

John Houston is injured at the moment, maybe that has something to do with it. Mark Robertson seems to be highly thought of, although it does seem early for him to be called into the squad. I expect he'll be making a lot more appearances for us next season.

Anyone know why Fergus Pringle is in, and being listed as an Edinburgh player? I know he's been on the bench a few times for us this season, but he's actually a Boroughmuir player as far as I know. He was released by Edinburgh at the end of last season.

djphilp · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 5:18 pm Post subject:

Houston's injury is just a head knock as far as I am aware. And Pringle is listed as an Edinburgh player on the official site.

Robertson also plays in a position where due to current injuries we are thin on the ground, which would explain his inclusion as there is nobody that merits selection ahead of him that is not either selected or injured. Whereas Houston merits selection ahead of both Dewey and Di Rollo, so unless he has a more serious injury than a head knock then the selection criteria need some serious alterations doing.

Loops · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 6:56 pm Post subject: