Rugby: Fisher believes there are plenty kings in the making for Scotland set-up

By BILL LOTHIAN
Published on 03/04/2012 12:00

Scottish Rugby’s regional academy coach Ben Fisher, who will travel to New Zealand as part of the scholarship group, insists the supply chain of future stars remains well oiled.

And former Boroughmuir captain Fisher, who helped develop stand off Harry Leonard, 19, into a European Cup starter for Edinburgh, picked out possible ones to watch.

“I am sure we will see Scotland under-18 scrum half Alex Glashan progress while (winger) Jamie Farndale was identified as an under 16 talent who is still just 18 and improving.

“Among the forwards Chris Dean, an Edinburgh Academy boy, is doing well in back row while Scott Burnside from North Berwick and Ally Miller from Watsons are taking first steps on the ladder.

“Scott and Ally are well developed, very mature boys, aged 15.”

Edinburgh will announce their squad on Friday for Saturday’s home Euro quarter-final with Toulouse and Fisher says if Leonard is included he will take the occasion in his stride. “We are trying to visualise programmes with players like Harry in mind,” said Fisher. “Harry has been a good example of someone identified outside Scotland by the Exiles and proved good enough for the national Under-18s. He moved up(from Sussex) for more support and within eight months was knocking on door of a contract. It is credit to him and the system. From the start he was focused on what he wanted to achieve. Those players open to constructive criticism and always looking to improve on and off the field and in the gym and give themselves the best chance in terms of managing injuries, doing the right things with recovery, nutrition etc are the ones who do well. Harry is one of those.”