George Watson’s set sights on Schools Cup double

George Watson’s College will feature in both the under-16 and under-18 Scottish Rugby Schools Cup Finals on Wednesday evening at BT Murrayfield. The under-16 team with face Strathallan School and the under-18 team shall meet with Dollar Academy, as the school attempts to replicate its double win from 2013/14.George Watson’s College have been involved in the last five finals at an under-18 level and having won the cup three years in a row, the team are in place for their fourth consecutive victory.Although we are going to the final for the fifth year in a row, it is a different group of players every year and it is a new challenge.- – George Watson’s director of rugby, Ally Donaldson”I hope the team show what they are capable of, it’s obviously a big occasion but I want them to go out there and show what a good bunch of players they are and what a great team they are, and if they do that it should be a cracking game,” he said.The Edinburgh school are going into the final fresh from a 34-17 victory over Dundee High School in the semi-final, in which they produced three tries in 10 minutes after half-time to see out the game.Their opponents, Dollar Academy, were last in the final in 2004/05 and will be full of confidence after an excellent 10-0 win away at Merchiston Castle School in the semi-final.Dollar’s defensive efforts were vital to their success on the day, with former British Lion Alan Tait describing the team’s defence as the best he had ever seen in schoolboy rugby.It was the best defensive display we had showed all season and we hope to build on our semi-final performance in the final- – Dollar Academy coach, Don Caskie “We are a young side and the experience on the day will put us in good stead for years to come, we also have 11 players in our current team who are available for next year’s selection.”Strathallan School will be looking to challenge George Watson’s in the under-16 final, after their impressive 18-10 win over Heriot’s at Goldenacre in the semi-final.The school were last in the under-16 final in 2012/13 when they lost out to Merchiston Castle School 10-5, but this year’s team arrive at the national stadium full of confidence.I think the performance that the boys had in the semi-final showed how capable they are of competing in the final, Heriot’s were really difficult to break down but what we did in that game as a team was outstanding.- – Strathallan coach, Andy Henderson “We are a small school who are up against the machine that is George Watson’s and it will be a tough task. We have to bring our best game and that’s what you expect if you want to win a final.”George Watson’s were last crowned under-16 champions in 2013/14 when they defeated St Aloysius College 19-8 and they come into this match-up having overcome local rivals Stewart’s Melville College 7-5.We were anxious towards the end but the boys did well to dig deep and win a tough semi-final. It was the first time the team had won in Inverleith, so it really showed our belief and determination.- – George Watson’s coach, Michael Ker The team are very excited to be playing on the big pitch at BT Murrayfield and it’s great to have the U18 team also involved in the finals with the school aiming to go for the double.”Both matches will take place on the main pitch and are set to showcase the best of Scottish schoolboy rugby. Scottish Rugby Schools Cup Finals… Under-16 Scottish Rugby Schools Cup FinalsGeorge Watson’s College v Strathallan School (6pm) Under-18 Scottish Rugby Schools Cup FinalsGeorge Watson’s College v Dollar Academy (7.45pm)