Big four ready to contest Under-18 Cup semi-finals

Predicting the results, however, is another matter. What is certain is that the quartet of semi-finalists truly represent the top four schools in Scotland. None of the teams in the last four has arrived in the semis by default.

First up today, with an 11am kick-off, are Edinburgh Academy and George Watson's, neither of whom have won the Cup. Home advantage could be important for Academy, although it did not work in their favour when the two sides met earlier this season.

"We lost 18-7 but we were missing both of our half-backs for that match" recalled Mark Appleson, the Academy coach, whose side have trained hard in preparation for the semi-final. "We worked hard during the Christmas holidays and this week we were again on the 4G pitch at Murrayfield with Mike and David Blair helping us.

"But we know that we will have to be playing at our best to beat Watson's. In theory with their numbers and their set-up they should win the Cup every year," suggested Appleson.

Academy's inspirational stand-off, Fraser Gillies, along with No8 and fellow Scotland Under-18 squad member Murray Sadek, will be a key player, as Watson's coach Andrew Ker readily acknowledges.

"They have good players in key positions" stated Ker, adding: "Academy are a very good side, but with both packs being evenly matched it should be a tight game. I think both teams will be hoping that the pitch is not too soft."

Whoever wins at Newfield will have to wait three hours before finding out who they will face in the final.

The second semi-final between previous Cup winners Merchiston and Stewart's-Melville kicks off at 2pm. For this match there is no form guide as the scheduled match between the two sides did not go ahead following Stewart's-Melville's insistence on playing to 'under-18 on 1 January' cup age limits.

"I watched Merchiston play North Berwick High School last Saturday," admitted the Stewart's-Melville coach, Chris Spence.

"Playing at Merchiston will be difficult for us. We can expect the entire school to be on the touchline, but we're hoping for a sizeable support," he added.

Edinburgh Academy U18: A Simpson; A Normand, B Brown, M Zegleman, T Whittle; F Gillies, J Munro; S Moodie, S Murphy, R Campbell, D Forbes, H Binnian, N Plevris, C Dean, L Seydak Subs T Normand, D Falkner, J MacLean, G Blackie, A Glashan, R Cumming, J Farndale

George Watson's College U18: S McKean; G Dalkin, A Chalmers, J Ferguson, R Young; S Mullins, A Harris; C Scott, L Reid, G Marr, D Marinello, R Davies, M Irvine, M Peacock, I MacLennan Subs M Johnson, R Jack, C Waugh, A Middleton, O Cutting, G Hepburn

Merchiston Castle School U18: H Clark; G Skivington-Jones, M Paterson, J Nutton, M Jackson; S Hidalgo-Clyne, M Watson; M. Roger D Muir, G Wilson, D Morrow, J Jones, P Baker, A White, D Muir Subs A Kerr, A MacKenzie, J Fisher, A Paterson, D Duff, F Donaldson, J Byme-Leitch

Stewart's-Meville College U18: S Cook; A Hughes, A Hagart, M Crawley, M Batchelor ; A Warnock, J Gilfillan; M Campbell, J Cook, G Turner, B Docherty, R McPhail, N Bowie, B Johnstone, A Wilson Subs F Napier, H Lindsay, C Leask, M Tainton, J Hannay, C Taylor, S Glen