FOSROC Super6: Six Young Players to Watch in 2022

Ayrshire Bulls: Thomas Glendinning, 19, centre/wing

Head Coach Pete Horne said: “Thomas has really impressed us since joining up with the squad at the culmination of the Under-20 Six Nations. He’s got all the attributes I love in a player.

“Athletically he has it all. He’s quick, he’s powerful and he has an engine to go with it. But the thing I’ve been most impressed with is his competitive edge.

“He works so hard and is really physical, he’s been flying into breakdowns, fighting through contact in his ball carries and putting in some big shots in defence.

“Everyone at the bulls is excited to see Thomas continue to grow within our environment and push on to achieve his potential.”

Boroughmuir Bears: Liam McConnell, 17, back-row

Head Coach Graham Shiel said: “Liam has been with Boroughmuir RFC all of his rugby career and is maturing into a very special young player. He has been a part of a very good year group at the club, recently winning the Scottish Youth Cup in 2022.

“Liam has been a committed player throughout his young rugby career to date and has been a part of the Performance Development Program which we run at Boroughmuir aimed at supporting our talented young players to prepare them for moving forward into regional/national age grade programs and in preparation for playing adult rugby.

“Liam has taken on a leadership role for the regional age-grade programs and currently captaining the Scotland U18 squad.

“It is a big ask for a young player to step up straight to FOSROC Super6, but for Liam it is a vital part of his development, and we are very fortunate to have a young player of Liam’s calibre at Boroughmuir Bears and want to support him as much as we possibly can.”

Heriot’s Rugby: Jack Mann, 22, back-row

Head coach Andrew Kelly said: “Jack was in our Super6 squad last season but unfortunately got injured early and didn’t play much.

“Jack was a player with Edinburgh Rugby before joining Heriots. He can play blindside flanker or number 8.

“He is a really powerful and aggressive runner with ball in hand.”

Southern Knights: Ben Afshar, 19, scrum-half

Head Coach Bruce Ruthven said: “Ben is a young player in our squad with a huge amount of potential.

“He’s currently a FOSROC Scottish Rugby Contracted Academy Player in Edinburgh and has recently returned from a hamstring injury which has impacted his senior rugby over the past five months, but he has the skills, pace and kicking game to become a very strong player within the Knights and kick on into professional rugby.

“He is very keen to learn, works hard and has a lot of ambition.”

Stirling County: Ben Salmon, 18, centre

Head Coach Ben Cairns said: “Still only 18, Ben has had an excellent pre-season block with us.

“As a former outside centre myself I have been aware of Ben’s potential since he was a 15-year-old playing in Dollar Academy’s U16s side and I have kept a keen eye on Ben’s development ever since.

“He joined County in July 2021 and has had an excellent season with Stirling Wolves in the Tennent’s National Division League 1.

“Ben has been involved in our Super6 training environment for a couple of years now which has helped his transition into a fully contracted member of the squad.

“We believe Ben has a huge future in the game and we are grateful that County can play a part in that journey.”

Watsonians: Cole Lamberton, 20, tighthead prop

Head Coach Fergus Pringle said: “Cole was originally allocated to us a loosehead prop for last season as a FOSROC Scottish Rugby Contracted Academy Player.

“He has recently converted to tighthead prop and was a standout for us in the pre-season friendlies.

“He is a very strong and powerful athlete and if he gets some time in the saddle, he has the potential to develop into a good tighthead over the next few years.

“He’ll have to be patient and learn his craft, but he is an exciting prospect for the future.”