Boys Schools Cup Final matches set for grandstand finish
Today, 16 teams competing in eight finals will take over the Murrayfield campus, as the Boys Schools Cup Finals are in town.
For all team sheets (accurate as at 3pm Tuesday), please head here.
Under-16 Cup
Stewart’s Melville v George Watson’s
Broadcast live on Scottish Rugby YouTube channel, 11am KO, Scottish Gas Murrayfield
Stewart’s Melville have had to fight tooth and nail to reach this final and will be desperate to impress against a George Watson’s side which has racked up 143 points in just three games, while conceding zero.
Stewart’s Melville head coach Joe Ansbro said the journey to the final has seen more ups than downs and this game is the best opportunity for a talented group of players to showcase what they’re capable of.
“The group has made big improvements over the last few months and there is no better time or place to deliver their best work.”
Meanwhile, George Watson’s captain Richie White said:
“We are really excited about playing on the international pitch at Murrayfield. We have worked hard for a few years with a goal of playing here and winning the Scottish Cup Final. All the squad are focused, and our coaches have us ready to go out and deliver a performance we are capable of when it matters the most.”
Under-16 Plate
High School of Dundee v Hutchesons’ Grammar
11am KO, Hive Stadium
High School of Dundee go into this match knowing the way to the try line, having scored over 100 points in their previous three matches.
And the free-scoring Hutchesons’ Grammar have notched over 40 points in each of their qualifying matches. This is set to be a high-scoring, free-flowing game of rugby.
High School of Dundee captain Robert Rawlins said:
“We are really looking forward to the final and the chance to play on the fast pitch at Edinburgh’s ground. We have been working hard in training and can’t wait to get out there on Wednesday.”
Dundee head coach Chris Allan said finals day will “no doubt” be a fantastic occasion for all the players involved.
“The journey to the final has been a great learning experience for the boys, who have shown great commitment in training and matches and have led much of this themselves.
“They showed real character in an incredibly close semi-final and are certainly focussed for the final. Our boys really stepped up in the second half and showed great character to get back into the match and edged ahead in the final 10 minutes to get the victory.”
Under-16 Bowl
George Heriot’s School v St Leonards Madras Blues
11am KO, Back Pitch 1
A mixed bag of results has seen George Heriot’s this year enter the Bowl final as potential underdogs against a St Leonards Madras side notching high scores against notable sides.
Watch for a cagey match as both sides try to work the other out in the early stages of tomorrow’s match.
George Heriot’s captain Daniel Reid said Heriot’s journey to the final hasn’t been the easiest.
“With many injuries in the squad throughout our campaign, the team has persevered to take crucial wins in the knockout stages and seal our place in the final.
“Winning the bowl would be a recognition of all the hard work of the team and would top off the strong collective effort shown by our squad this season.”
Under-16 Shield
Dollar Academy v The Edinburgh Academy
Broadcast live on Scottish Rugby YouTube channel, 1pm KO, Hive Stadium
Dollar has pulled together a string of top performances to reach this final against Edinburgh Academy, including a tense five-point win over Glenalmond College three weeks ago.
The Academy knows the way to the try line, which sets up an interesting match tomorrow at the Hive Stadium.
Dollar Academy Head Coach Ranald Baird said his side has worked “incredibly hard” this season and he is thrilled for them to now have this occasion.
“They have fought hard including a very physical battle with Glenalmond in the quarter final and to win the final against Edinburgh Academy would be fantastic for the squad and the school.”
Under-18 Shield
George Watson’s College v High School of Dundee
Broadcast live on Scottish Rugby YouTube channel, 3.30pm KO, Scottish Gas Murrayfield
A tense 14-12 semi-final win over Kelvinside Academy is what sees High School of Dundee battling for the Shield tomorrow. Will their fortunes continue against a George Watson’s side which has seen strong performances against Hutchesons’ Grammar and St Aloysius’ College in the preliminary matches?
Watson’s captain Harry Clark said:
“As a squad we are looking forward to the challenge of playing on the main pitch against Dundee. They are a good side with a few stand-out players in their back division and we will need to be fully focussed to achieve success in the final.”
Watson’s head coach Michael Ker echoed his captain’s thoughts.
“The boys had a bit of a wakeup call in the semi-final vs Hutchesons’ Grammar when we let ourselves down with our attitude and performance on the day. This has given us a strong reminder we need to be mentally right for all games, no more so than a final on the main pitch at Murrayfield vs a competitive Dundee side, who will bring an expansive style with pace and energy.
“As a squad we are looking to finish the season on a high note and challenge our young team to improve/learn in a high-pressure environment.”
High School of Dundee head coach Ross Aitken said:
“We were knocked out of the Cup by a strong Stewart’s Melville team. It was a bit of a reality check for us, and we have raised our game and intensity since then. We felt we didn’t give a good account of ourselves, and that is all we ask of the guys this week.
“We had a very physical semi-final against Kelvinside which really tested us. But it was a fantastic match which really helped us prepare for our now final against Watsons.”
Under-18 Bowl
St Columba’s v Queen Victoria School
3.30pm KO, Back Pitch 1
St Columba’s (Kilmacolm) have had three close matches in the lead up to this Bowl final against Queen Victoria. A single try was the only difference between Columba’s and Gordonstoun School.
If the St Columba’s matches were close, Queen Victoria’s match in the semi-final against St Aloysius’ College went down to the wire, with the former sneaking a one-point win to reach the final. Can they replicate that success tomorrow?
St Columba’s co-captain Archie Thomson said:
“I am very proud to have reached the final. It’s a testament to the team’s hard work and determination.
“However, there’s still one step to go, and we are fully focused and excited for the challenge ahead as winning would be a great achievement for both the team and the school.”
Queen Victoria captain James Douglas said:
“The journey to the final has been very interesting, to say the least, from a 50-point win over Preston Lodge to just edging the win over St. Aloysius by one point.
“The boys have improved so much since the start of the season, the team has molded so well with everyone playing very well in the team and a great team spirit.
“I cannot fault the passion and the drive the team has shown this season. To win the final would be the best way to complete an already incredible season.”
Under-18 Plate
Robert Gordon’s College v Glenalmond College
3.30pm KO, Hive Stadium
Robert Gordon’s College only last week secured a five-point win over the High School of Glasgow to snare their place in the Plate final against Glenalmond College.
Glenalmond go in undefeated with wins against Morrison’s Academy, North Berwick High School, and The Glasgow Academy.
Robert Gordon’s College captain Jamie Barron said:
“We are all super excited about coming to play in the plate final at the Hive. We’ve had a good season and this is the culmination of a lot of hard work. Special thanks to our injured players who can’t join today, they have played a big part of our success so far this season.
“It’s been nearly two decades since RGC have had the honour of being able to play at Finals Day and we couldn’t be more delighted with the opportunity. For myself it will be such a proud moment to captain a team of players who have sacrificed so much to get here and I hope we make our coaches, parents, families, and schoolmates proud.”
Glenalmond captain Guy Smith said:
“As I came into my final year at school, I worried that my rugby season may be just the same as the year before, where we found ourselves finishing an eight-game run with only one victory under our belts.
“However, instead of accepting this, as a team we decided to do something about it. We spent the summer preparing ourselves for an exciting new season and were determined to put an end to being the underdogs. The season got off to a rocky start with our first game being a loss, but we kept our heads high and continued building as a team.
“All the boys put a massive amount of effort into building themselves and each other to where we are right now, and being given a shot at the plate final means the world to all of us. Many of the boys will be finishing school this year, and I cannot think of a better way to end their schoolboy rugby career than in a final.”
Under-18 Cup
Stewart’s Melville College v Merchiston Castle School
Broadcast live on Scottish Rugby YouTube channel, 5.30pm KO, Scottish Gas Murrayfield
A last-gasp 41-36 win over Loretto School saw Merchiston Castle make the Under-18 Cup final last Tuesday, while Stewart’s Melville saw a somewhat more comfortable scoreline, 28-12, over Marr College to secure their spot.
There will be a new winner this year, as George Watson’s College crashed out of the Cup competition. Who will take home the top prize in tomorrow’s Boys Schools Cup Finals?
Stewart’s Melville head coach Stuart Edwards said:
“We are excited for what promises to be a cracking final against Merchiston. We have enjoyed this season to date and have navigated our way through some tough fixtures on our way to the final.
“For many of our players, this will be either their second or third Cup final and we will look to use that experience to good use against a Merchiston side who have played some good rugby on their respective journey to the final.”
Merchiston’s captain Ross Smart said:
“The final is the cumulation of a hard-fought season during which the team have worked hard together and shown a great team spirit under extreme pressures. It will be an honour for the boys to walk out onto Murrayfield and we are relishing the challenge.”
Merchiston’s head coach Roddy Deans said:
“We have had an incredible season winning the U18 National Schools Conference and our own U18 Festival. We are all very proud of this squad and it is just reward for all their efforts and commitments.
“Playing at Murrayfield is always an absolute honour for players and coaches. The whole school is very excited to support our boys on the biggest stage. We have a lot of respect for Stewart’s Melville College and expect another very exciting game of rugby.”