Academy sides aligned for Junior 1872 Cup contests

17 Sep 2018

The best young players from the east and west of Scotland will be aligned to the nation’s two professional clubs, Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors, in a series of age-grade fixtures next month.

The top performers from the four Fosroc Academy Regions of Edinburgh and The Borders & East Lothian (aligned to Edinburgh), Caledonia and Glasgow & the West (aligned to Glasgow Warriors) will sport the senior club colours at U16, U18 and U20 level, for a series of fixtures to be played at Broadwood, Netherdale and Oriam.

Introduced to the performance calendar last season, the fixtures are a further development of the 20-match regional series played earlier this year, which exposed more than 400 players and coaches to the intensified, competitive environment.

Scotland back-row Jamie Ritchie represented the academy before earning selection for the senior sides

The matches will provide another competitive test bed for players of potential to prove themselves ahead of the respective International squad selection, while the alignment aims to create stronger links and associations between aspiring players and the top level of elite club rugby in Scotland.

Scottish Rugby Head of Academies, Sean Lineen: “These combined sides present more opportunities for young home-based players to play in increasingly intense environments and promote themselves within the Fosroc Academy structure and international age-grade sides, while closer alignment to the pro teams will hopefully give them and their supporters a greater sense of identity within the pathway.”

The U16 trophy will be contested over two legs, with the trophy awarded after the second round in Galashiels on Sunday 21 October, with the winners decided on the aggregate score. The U18 trophy will be decided after the head-to-head on Sunday 14 October at Broadwood Stadium.

Oriam will then host a one-off match at U20 level on Thursday 8 November (kick-off 4.30pm).

All fixtures are free to attend however a limited number are available at Oriam. Tickets for this fixture will be made available at Eventbrite next month.