Scotland Club XV side named for Ireland clash

McKillop’s side is made up of players who represented their district in the Inter-District Championships, blending youth and experience for the showdown in Donnybrook. 

Ayr RFC’s Blair Macpherson will lead the side in his fourth campaign for the Club XV, bringing with him his experience of playing in Donnybrook. The number 8 is joined in the back row by teammate Tim Brown at openside flanker and Heriot’s Rugby captain Ruairidh Leishman on the blindside.  

Jack Dobie (Melrose RFC) and Struan Cessford (Heriot’s Rugby) will pack down at loosehead and tighthead prop respectively, with Hawick RFC’s Fraser Renwick selected at hooker.  

Angus Runciman (Melrose RFC) and Oscar Baird (Ayr RFC) slot in at lock to complete the forward pack while in the back division, stand-off Dwain Patterson (Kelso RFC) and scrum-half Gregor Christie (Currie Chieftains) make up the half-back pairing. 

Bobby Beattie (Ayr RFC) links up with Andrew Mitchell (Hawick RFC) in the midfield, while Ben Pickles (Selkirk RFC) starts on the left wing and Jamie Shedden (Ayr RFC) on right. Vice-captain Glenn Bryce (Stirling County RFC) is named at full-back to complete the starting XV.  

Hooker Elliot Young (Heriot’s Rugby), props Jamie Drummond (Ayr RFC) and Dan Gamble (Kelso RFC), as well as second row Ruaraidh Hart (Stirling County RFC) and back row Sam Wallace (Heriot’s Rugby), will bolster the forward pack as replacements.  

Euan McKirdy (GHA RFC) provides cover at scrum-half while Borders duo, full-back Callum Anderson (Selkirk RFC) and winger Archie Barbour (Kelso RFC), complete the replacements.  

Speaking ahead of the encounter, McKillop said: “I can’t speak highly enough of the training squad of 38 players, both as rugby players and as people. They brought enthusiasm and energy to all our sessions and this selection process has been the one of the toughest I’ve had in over 30 years of coaching.  

“The matchday squad is very skilled with a blend of experience and up and coming players. We are incredibly excited about the opportunity and look forward to donning the Thistle in Dublin on Friday.” 

Scotland will travel to Ireland to contest the Dalriada Cup which was first introduced in 2011 to mark the historic ties between the two nations.  

Scotland Club XV team to face Ireland Club XV at Energia Park in Dublin on Friday 13 February, kick-off 6:30pm – live on irishrugby+.