Inter-District Championships: Caley Reds defending crown in round one

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MAY 21: Caledonia Red players lift the trophy during the Inter-district Championship finals between The South and Caledonia Red at Braidholm, on May 21, 2023, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Euan Cherry / SNS Group)

Meanwhile, Edinburgh and the South will face off in round one in Musselburgh.

Last year’s revitalisation of the IDC spurred a new wave of interest in the provincial game, with thousands of supporters turning out to attend midweek matches.

After a 20-plus year hiatus, the IDC was revived in season 2022/23 following a motion at the Scottish Rugby AGM in July 2021.

In the new format, the four men’s teams representing the breadth of the country will this year compete in three round-robin fixtures to decide the winner.

With competition already heating up, Caledonia Reds head coach, Colin Sangster, spoke about the weekend’s action.

“Following on from the success of the games last year, there is a real buzz around the region in anticipation of the forthcoming matches and the chance to play all three districts this season,” he said.

“We played Glasgow & The West up in Inverness last season and we know to expect a physical battle against Kenny Diffenthal’s side. It will be a massive challenge for our players up against a largely Premiership based team and we are really looking forward to it.”

Glasgow & The West head coach, Kenny Diffenthal, said his side needed to be focused and take any opportunity if they were to topple the reigning champions.

“The players and coaching team have all gelled really well and now want to test themselves, starting with what we know will be a tough tie against the defending champions Caledonia Reds,” he said.

“We know that Colin Sangster will have his squad well prepared and can see quality through the team he has selected.

“We need to be focused and accurate in defence and taking all attacking opportunities that present.”

Edinburgh head coach, Robert McKillop, echoed the sentiment. He was looking forward to the challenge the South pack will present.

“Competition for places has been intense, and the boys have fronted up really well in every session despite some large club games taking place – we don’t feel we did ourselves justice last season and are keen to right that this year,” McKillop said.

“We know the challenge we will face against the South, but we have our own plans that we are excited about, and we have a lot more experience and nous in the squad this season.”

The South head coach, Matty Douglas, suggested the excitement was growing in the camp ahead of round one, and that his side would be going into the game confident of their abilities.

“Training has been going well with a real pick up in pace this week as excitement grows for the start of the Championship. We have had players putting their hands up for selection and picking the team was very difficult,” Douglas said.

“We are happy with this South squad to play Edinburgh this weekend. We have a good balance and strength across the pitch. This is a huge game for the South, and we know the challenge that Edinburgh will present.

“They have a great squad and are exceptionally well coached. We go into the game with confidence in ourselves and respect for Edinburgh.”

IDC ROUND ONE FIXTURES:

Saturday, 23 March
Edinburgh v The South
Stoneyhill, Musselburgh 3PM KO

Saturday, 23 March
Glasgow & the West v Caledonia Reds
Braidholm, Glasgow, 3PM KO

TEAM SHEETS FOR ROUND ONE:

The South

15. Kirk Ford
14. Josh Welsh
13. Dwain Patterson
12. Andrew Mitchell
11. Callum Anderson
10. Aaron McColm (vc)
9. Andy Tait

1. Shawn Muir (Captain)
2. Fraser Renwick
3. Nicky Little
4. Andrew McColm
5. Keith Melbourne
6. Bruce McNeil
7. Angus Dun
8. Jae Linton

REPLACEMENTS
16. Russell Anderson
17. Grant Shiells
18. Ross Graham
19. Dalton Redpath
20. Calum Renwick
21. Douglas Crawford
22. Struan Hutchison
23. Frankie Robson

Caledonia Reds:

15. Adriu Muritoki, Highland
14. Ryan Flett, Glasgow Hawks / Crieff
13. Max Wallace, Edinburgh Accies / Deeside
12. Murray Mitchell, Strathmore
11. Magnus Henry, Highland
10. Callum Beckett, Currie Chieftains / Stirling County
9. Harry Russell (Captain), Falkirk

1. Stephen Murray, Highland
2. Fraser Allan, Howe of Fife
3. Struan Cessford (vc), Heriot’s / Dundee
4. Connor MacFarlane, Aberdeenshire / Grangemouth
5. Malachy Keough, Heriot’s / High School of Dundee
6. Calum Macpherson, Highland
7. Sam Cardosi, Currie Chieftains / Dundee
8. Alistair Johnstone, Heriot’s / Dollar Academy

REPLACEMENTS:
16. Scott Rendall, Orkney
17. Glen Brough, Gala / Orkney
18. Lewis Skinner, Falkirk
19. Struan Robertson, Gordonians / Strathallan & Kirkcaldy
20. Gordon Gregor, Highland
21. James Imrie, Glasgow Hawks / Stirling County
22. Glen Faulds, Falkirk
23. Stuart Kirk, Dundee / Caithness

Edinburgh:

15. Charlie Brett (Captain), Currie Chieftains
14. Robbie Chalmers, Edinburgh Accies
13. Robbie Kent, Edinburgh Accies
12. Neil Armstrong, Edinburgh Accies
11. Ryan Daley, Currie Chieftains
10. Jamie Forbes, Currie Chieftains
9. Paddy Ritchie, Edinburgh Accies

1. Ross Dunbar, Edinburgh Accies
2. Cal Davies, Edinburgh Accies
3. Calum Crookshanks, Edinburgh Accies
4. Jake Mills, Edinburgh Accies
5. Michael Badenhorst, Musselburgh
6. Rhys Davies, Currie Chieftains
7. Rory Kirkpatrick, Heriot’s
8. Jamie Sole, Edinburgh Accies

REPLACEMENTS
16. Ryan Stewart, Currie Chieftains
17. Cole Imrie, Currie Chieftains
18. Graeme Carson, Currie Chieftains
19. Struan Whittaker, Edinburgh Accies
20. Ali Bain, Currie Chieftains
21. Cameron Lessels, Currie Chieftains
22. Scott Clark, Preston Lodge
23. Rory Watt, Musselburgh

Glasgow & The West squad:

15. James Couper, Glasgow Hawks
14. Scott Bickerstaff, Marr Rugby
13. Conor Bickerstaff (Captain), Marr Rugby
12. Max MacFarlane, GHA
11. Tom Lanni, Ayr
10. Colin Sturgeon, Marr Rugby
9. Grant Baird (vc), Marr Rugby

1. Ali Rogers, Marr Rugby
2. Ryan Howie, Glasgow Hawks
3. Marcus Goodwin, Glasgow Hawks
4. David Andrew, Marr Rugby
5. Stephen Leckey, Glasgow Hawks
6. Rohan Pottie, Ayr
7. Mark McCornick (vc), Newton Stewart
8. Blair Jardine, Marr Rugby

REPLACEMENTS
16. Tom Martin, Ayr
17. Alex Apthorpe, Marr Rugby
18. Michael Fox, GHA
19. Ruairidh Airlie, Ayr
20. Luke McCutcheon, GHA
21. Robbie Baird, Marr Rugby
22. Andrew Goudie, GHA
23. Torquil MacLeod, Glasgow Hawks