TheSmidge wrote:Academy roster for 22-23 confirmed:
Edinburgh Rugby
Matt Russell (Heriot’s Rugby)**
Ben Evans (Heriot’s Rugby)**
Jamie Campbell (Heriot’s Rugby)**
Dan Gamble (Heriot’s Rugby)**
Nathan Sweeney (Heriot’s Rugby)**
Harry Paterson (Watsonians)**
Patrick Harrison (Watsonians)**
Robbie Deans (Watsonians)*
Liam McConnell (Boroughmuir Bears)*
Mike Jones (Boroughmuir Bears)**
Rudi Brown (Southern Knights)**
Harri Morris (Southern Knights)**
Cameron Scott (Southern Knights)**
Jacob Henry (Southern Knights)**
Finn Douglas (Southern Knights)*
** Retained FOSROC Scottish Rugby Contracted Academy Player from 2021/2022
*New FOSROC Scottish Rugby Contracted Academy Player
The only one we've really seen so far is Harrison, but it is really now make or break for quite a few of the guys who have been retained. It's good to see Jacob Henry in the 7s squad for the Commonwealth Games, but I hope he kicks on this season and features a few times in blue and orange.
There is a comment in the SRU article that "more than a third" of last year's academy have signed pro deals, but the numbers don't quite add up yet. I think 5 of Glasgow's academy last year have signed pro contracts, but only 1 of ours (Matt Currie). Roan Frostwick (along with Jack Blain!) is currently playing in Australia, but that may just be a development thing over the summer and he is going to sign a pro deal. With 12 players retained from last year, the only other player missing is Cole Lamberton.
I'm very surprised to see a lot of names there.
Gamble was supposed to go pro last year - yet another year in the academy? How did he do at LS The Chiel?
Like Henry and Patterson from what I've seen at s6 level but a few injuries in there. Hope to see them this season. But with a very very strong back 3 currently it'll be hard to get a look in.
I think Harrison should go pro - looked terrific in the games Cockers played him. Jamie Campbell and Rudi Brown looked big when they played for Edinburgh. Will be very hard for either to get a game at lock mind.
Deans is a young TH monster but we've seen how they're being developed currently.
The rest mostly older and mostly not very good when they play (which isn't much) in the s6.