Club XV Head Coach and Fixtures Announced

Selkirk Head Coach, and former Scotland 7s captain, Scott Wight will lead the domestic representative team, assisted by Ali O’Connor (Aberdeen Grammar) and Callum Forrester (GHA).

The Scotland Club XV will come together for a series of training camps in December and January in preparation for home and away fixtures against their Irish counterparts.

Scotland host the Irish Club XV at Netherdale, Galashiels on Friday 31 January before travelling to Dublin to play the return fixture one week later on Friday 7 February at Energia Park, Donnybrook, Dublin.

The two teams will play for the Dalriada Cup which Ireland currently hold after defeating Scotland 23 points to 9 at Netherdale before drawing 19-19 in Dublin last year.

On his appointment Wight said:

“It’s a great honour to coach the Club XV. It’s something I was involved in as a player so to have the opportunity to be part of it as Head Coach is really special.”

“One of the challenges of the Club XV is that the players play against each other week in week out in the league then come together to play for their country for these two fixtures, however it’s a challenge I’m really looking forward to.

He added: “It’s really exciting to be working with Ali and Callum. They are both experienced coaches and I am looking to learn and share new ideas with them to get the most out of the programme for everyone involved.

“It’s great that there are two fixtures for the squad with the added bonus of some silverware up for grabs. Hopefully we get a good buy-in from the rugby community locally and get a big crowd to get behind the boys at Netherdale and for the players to travel to Dublin to play Ireland will be a fantastic experience for them to represent their country.”

Scotland Club XV Fixtures

Friday 31 January: Scotland Club XV Vs Ireland Club; Netherdale, Galashiels. (kick-off 7.30pm GMT)

Friday 7 February: Ireland Club Vs Scotland Club XV; Energia Park, Donnybrook, Dublin. (kick-off 5:45pm GMT)