Erskine Stewart Melville v Stirling County headlines this weekend’s action

Pictured: Erskine Stewart Melville Director of Rugby Stuart Edwards and player James Dalrymple during the Scottish Rugby Open Competition Launch at Hive Stadium on 25 August 2026.

Our Scottish Rugby Match of the Week heads to the Boys’ U18 Open Competition this Saturday, as Erskine Stewart Melville welcome Stirling County to Inverleith.

Kick-off is scheduled for 10.30am, with the fixture streamed live on the Scottish Rugby YouTube channel. The match will also feature across Scottish Rugby’s digital channels, with coverage and promotion before, during and after the game.

Erskine Stewart Melville, coached by Stuart Edwards, who also leads the coaching team at Heriot’s Rugby Men, come into the fixture in strong form. Currently leading Pool B, they have won both of their matches so far, including an impressive comeback against a strong Ayr side last weekend after trailing 21-5 at half-time.

Edwards is delighted with the way his side have started the Open Competition but is well aware of the challenges that await them.

“We are obviously delighted to have won our first two games,” he said. “It was great to have a home opener against Marr and our trip to Millbrae was typically difficult, but I was very proud of how we performed in the second half after being 21-5 down at half-time to win 33-26.

“We are under no illusions of the challenges we still have to face in Stirling County, Glenalmond College and Strathallan School, so we will continue to keep working hard.”

Edwards’ dual role means he has a unique perspective across both the age-grade and senior game, with his work at Erskine Stewart Melville sitting alongside his responsibilities with Heriot’s in the Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership.

Despite the difference in age and experience between the two groups, Edwards says his fundamental approach to coaching remains consistent.

“I would like to think my approach is consistent across both,” he explained. “The difference with school compared to club is that we have more time on task in school compared to at Heriot’s where we only see the teams Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

“We see the boys at school every day in some capacity, whether that be strength and conditioning, team training or 1-to-1 video analysis alongside a team run on a Friday. Ultimately, I am dealing with people and my processes are very similar across both environments. I am very lucky to be able to work with such amazing people within both school and club settings.”

That crossover works both ways, with Edwards believing his experiences in the senior game continue to inform his work with younger players, while coaching at age-grade level also brings benefits to his work with Premiership players.

“Without a doubt. I learn every week across both and working at both levels complements each other,” he said. “Whether it’s kids or adults, the relationship piece is huge for me and I try my best to be consistent across both in terms of how I approach individual conversations and processes surrounding selection, training and weekly structures.”

Edwards also believes the high standard of the Boys’ U18 Open Competition makes it a valuable environment for developing players, highlighting the demands placed on teams throughout the tournament.

“Working in the adult game continues to stretch me but I would stress just how competitive the Open Competition is and the demands placed on players within this tournament would be comparable to that of what would be expected within the Premiership,” he said.

Saturday’s fixture carries an additional significance for the Erskine Stewart Melville players, with the match selected as the Scottish Rugby Match of the Week and set to be broadcast live on YouTube.

Edwards says the group are excited by the opportunity but have remained focused on the task in hand.

“Absolutely, we have referenced it this week and we feel very privileged to have the opportunity.” he said. “However, it is not something that distracts us from the game itself and we are looking forward to welcoming Stirling County to Inverleith on Saturday.”

There is also a personal connection for Edwards, with Stirling County being his former club.

“Stirling is my old club and the Open Competition fixture against them is one that I always really look forward to,” he added. “Last season, it was a great game at Bridgehaugh and I am sure this weekend will be no different.”

Stirling County, meanwhile, are still searching for their first win in the competition and will be determined to put a halt to the hosts’ winning run.

There is plenty more Boys’ U18 Open Competition action across the weekend, with Boroughmuir facing Edinburgh Academy and Strathallan taking on Marr Rugby on Friday. Saturday sees Dollar Academy welcome George Watson’s College, while Merchiston Castle School host GHA and Glenalmond College face Ayr.

Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership

The Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership has plenty to look forward to this weekend, with the third round of action featuring several intriguing match-ups.

Hawick are on the road against Ayr, hoping to build on their first win of the season last weekend, when they edged Kelso by a single point in a closely fought encounter.

Unbeaten Currie and Melrose go head-to-head at Malleny Park, with both sides looking to maintain their perfect starts to the season and make it three wins from three.

At Goldenacre, Heriot’s welcome Kelso, with both teams looking to bounce back and put another win on the board after recording a win and a loss from their opening two fixtures.

Elsewhere, Watsonians face Glasgow Hawks, while GHA welcome Edinburgh Accies to Braidholm as the battle for early-season momentum continues.

Arnold Clark Women’s Premiership

The second round of the Arnold Clark Women’s Premiership promises plenty of excitement, with several intriguing fixtures on the cards.

Stirling County and Watsonians face off in one of the weekend’s standout encounters, with both sides having recorded strong victories over their Round 1 opponents and looking to carry that momentum into another challenging contest.

Corstorphine will be looking to bounce back from defeat last weekend when they take on Biggar, who come into the fixture full of confidence following an impressive win over Heriot’s.

Cartha Queen’s Park welcome Heriot’s, with both sides searching for their first win of the season, while Garioch make the trip south to take on Hillhead Jordanhill.

With competitive fixtures across the age-grade and senior competitions, there is plenty to look forward to across Scottish club rugby this weekend.