Gala handed away trip to Dundee or Aberdeen

The road to National Finals Day at Murrayfield on Saturday 21 April began yesterday at Dunbar when the East Lothian seaside club hosted the official draw and launch of the RBS National Cup, Shield and Bowl.

Six fixtures were drawn, two for each of the three tournaments as the competition moves from the regional finals to the national semi-finals.

The draw was made by local RBS Rugby representative Louise Buchanan and branch manager Hazel Anderson with representatives from Gala, Boroughmuir, Dunfermline, Grangemouth Stags and Dunbar in attendance.

In the Cup, Gala are the only team to so far to have booked their place in the last four but they know they will travel north into Caledonia for their match against either Dundee HSFP or Aberdeen Grammar.

In the second Cup semi-final Whitecraigs or Ayr will go head-to-head with either Boroughmuir or Heriot’s, with the winner from the west welcoming the capital side. The three remaining regional Cup finals will take place on Saturday, 10 March at Mayfield, West Lodge and Meggetland respectively.

Hawick YM are the only team remaining in the Shield that made it to the semi-finals last year and they will welcome either Murrayfield Wanderers or Musselburgh (the Edinburgh Shield regional final will take place at Murrayfield on Saturday 17 March).

In the second Shield semi-final Dunfermline travel to Ayrshire to face Kilmarnock.

Finally, in the Bowl competition there are four new teams in the penultimate round, including yesterday’s cup draw hosts Dunbar. They welcome Hawick Harlequins to Hallhill, while Grangemouth Stags host Helensborough or Lenzie (the West regional Shield final will take place at Ardencaple on Saturday 10 March).

Scottish Rugby’s head of community rugby, Colin Thomson, said: “The National Cup, Shield and Bowl showcases quality and entertaining rugby played across our country and is one of our flagship tournaments.

“Scottish Rugby is delighted to see a number of new teams reaching the semi-finals in each trophy, and to see other teams returning to the competition this season.

“Our thanks go to Dunbar for hosting the draw today.”

The six national semi-finals are scheduled for Saturday 31 March.

DRAWS

RBS Cup semi-finals

Dundee HSFP or Aberdeen Grammar v Gala

Whitecraigs or Ayr v Boroughmuir or Heriot’s

RBS Shield semi-finals

Hawick YM v Murrayfield Wanderers or Musselburgh

Kilmarnock v Dunfermline

RBS Bowl semi-finals

Grangemouth Stags v Helensburgh or Lenzie

Dunbar v Hawick Harlequins