New Head Coaches For Scotland Age-Grade Teams

Three of Scotlands age-grade international teams have new head coaches this season. Colin Robertson is with the Scotland u20 team, Grant McKelvey with the u18 squad, and Bryan Easson with the u17s.Three of Scotlands age-grade international teams have new head coaches this season. Colin Robertson is with the Scotland u20 team, Grant McKelvey with the u18 squad, and Bryan Easson with the u17s. None, though, is a newcomer to the national age-grade set-up. Robertson was previously head coach of the national u18 team, and McKelvey has moved from the same role with the u17s. Easson steps up from being assistant with the u17s. Two Premier One club coaches, Bob McKillop, of Heriots, and Boroughmuirs Eamon John, will be Robertsons assistants with Scotland u20. McKillop was with that squad last season whereas John was assistant to Scotland u19 head coach Peter Wright, who continues in that role. Graham Shiel, the former Melrose and Scotland centre, has been brought in to replace John as u19 assistant coach. Henry Edwards, Scottish Rugbys head of player development, who announced the appointments today, commented: We are confident that we have very strong management groups, and we look forward to building on the good work of last year. Scottish Rugbys performance and player development personnel are heavily involved in the age-grade team management. Robertson, Wright, and Shiel are National Academy coaches whereas Easson is performance development manager in East Lothian and Borders. McKelvey has the equivalent role in Edinburgh, Midlothian, and West Lothian. The u20s will have the busiest programme of Scotlands three age-grade teams with that age groups Six Nations Championship in February and March and the IRB world championship in Wales in June. The u18 squad visit Ireland to play in the Six Nations Festival in Cork in April, and the u17s will be seeking to emulate the Scots who last season achieved their own grand slam with three wins in three games in the Millfield School Festival in Somerset. Scottish Rugbys national age-grade management and medical teams for this season are: Scotland u20 Head coach ” Colin Robertson Assistant coaches ” Bob McKillop and Eamon John Manager ” John Jeffrey Fitness coach ” Mark Drury Doctor ” Jonathan Hanson Physio ” Matt Merrick Scotland u19 Head coach ” Peter Wright Assistant coach ” Graham Shiel Assistant manager ” Ian Tomney Fitness coach ” Andy Boyd Doctor ” Brian Walker Physio ” Paul McGinlay Scotland u18 Head coach ” Grant McKelvey Assistant coaches ” Graham Marshall and Alex Duncan Manager ” Euan Kennedy Assistant manager ” Paul Kesterton Fitness coach ” Val Houston Doctor ” Mike Proudfoot Physio ” Torgny Johansen Scotland u17 Head coach ” Bryan Easson Assistant coach ” Gordon Henderson Manager ” Rob Charters Fitness coach ” Ian Cleland Doctor ” John Turvill Physio ” Kate Morris