Scottish Rugby pathway players in Edinburgh and Glasgow action this weekend

Edinburgh play host to Ulster tonight (Friday 4 September), whilst Glasgow travel to Kingston Park to face Newcastle Red Bulls on Saturday, 5 September.

11 of Edinburgh’s 30 listed squad players have come through the Edinburgh and Borders’ Pathway and into the programme, with other representation also coming from the Scottish Qualified Programme in the shape of Jamie Stewart, Geordie Gwynn and Fin Doyle.

Stewart, who will start at tighthead at the Hive, moved back to Scotland after his U18s season with Exeter Chiefs, in Devon, England. Kirkcaldy-born, the young forward was a key feature in the Scotland U20s squad over the last two years, earning caps in the Six Nations and Junior World Championships.

Gwynn signed for Edinburgh earlier this year on a three-year deal from Ealing Trailfinders, moving to the capital club after earning 13 caps with the U20s and senior Emerging Scotland caps.

Doyle joined Edinburgh’s Pro-Academy from Loughborough, and was part of the Scotland squad that was victorious in the U20s World Rugby Trophy final against USA, at the Hive Stadium, in 2024.

This weekend, further members of that squad that lifted the trophy will also feature for Edinburgh, including: Jerry Blyth-Lafferty, Conor McAlpine, Euan McVie, Tom Currie, Ollie Duncan, and Hector Patterson.

Rory McHaffie, Christian Lindsay, Sam Byrd, and Jack Utterson were all part of the Scotland U20s squad that achieved their best-ever finish in the Junior World Championship this summer, claiming fifth place in Georgia.

CARDIFF, WALES – FEBRUARY 20: Scotland’s Rory McHaffie in action during an Under-20’s Six Nations match between Wales and Scotland at Cardiff Arms Park, on February 20, 2026, in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

All four joined the Edinburgh Pro-Academy in recent years and are names to keep an eye on as the upcoming season goes on, with potential further A game experience coming their way alongside Scotland opportunities.

Finally, 18-year-old James Dalrymple, from Melrose RFC, is a story we can’t ignore. The young back-row/lock has come through the National Talent Pathway and is now set to feature in the second half against Ulster on Friday night.

As for Glasgow, a variety of current and former pathway products are set to be involved, including Scotland U20s’ most capped player of all time, Kerr Yule.

Yule, a strong running centre from West of Scotland Rugby Club, has just signed his first professional contract with Warriors, much like Matt Urwin, Kerr Johnston, Fergus Watson, Johnny Ventisei, and Seb Stephen.

The aforementioned all featured for Scotland U20s in a similar period before signing professional contracts with Glasgow. In Stephens’ case, he was the first to earn his Scotland cap, doing so against Fiji at Scottish Gas Murrayfield in July.

More members of Warriors’ Academy, who played for the U20s in 2025, will also feature against Newcastle; Jack Shearer will start at loosehead, Dylan Cockburn at flanker, Guy Rodgers and Cameron Van Wyk on the wing, with Jamie McAughtrie (on a short-term deal) and young starlet Harvey Preston looking to make an impact off the bench.

Finally, Dan Halkon, a member of the Scottish Qualified Programme, will take his spot in the starting XI. The second-row made the move up to Glasgow from Worcester after his U18s season, and has since been a part of the U20s squad over the last two years.

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND – MARCH 06: Scotland’s Dan Halkon celebrates after Jamie McAughtrie scores a try during an Under-20 Six Nations match between Scotland and France at the Hive Stadium, on March 06, 2026, in Edinburgh Scotland. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group)

Among the opponents this weekend, will be another of Fergus Pringle’s squad from this summer’s trip to Georgia. Young stand-off Jake Dalziel has been named as a replacement in Newcastle’s squad to face Glasgow.

Kenny Murray, Scottish Rugby’s National Talent Pathway Lead, said: “It’s a huge positive to see so many of our pathway products, current and past, involved in the opening pre-season friendlies for Edinburgh and Glasgow this weekend.

“We work extremely hard in all aspects of the pathway programme, whether it’s the National Talent Pathway, Pro-Academies, Scottish Qualified Programme, or age-grade teams, to ensure that all of our talented young rugby players have the best opportunity to succeed and have successful careers at both the national and club level. This is a prime example of it.”