Rose in full bloom for Co-optimists

Boroughmuir back-row Andy Rose went a long way to securing himself a spot in the Scotland club international squad for their matches after the new year following a great showing for the Co-optimists yesterday.

He may have only been on the pitch for 49 minutes at Raeburn Place, but Rose put in a dynamic openside showing as the select side defeated the hosts Edinburgh Accies 31-14.

Rose was one of many Edinburgh-based players looking to impress club international coach Ally Donaldson ahead of matches with Ireland and France in early 2012, after the Co-ops kindly gave them permission to run the rule over possible caps in this match.

And as well as Rose, Currie’s James Johnstone continued to show that he is the in-form back in club rugby at the moment, and his Malleny Park team mate Dougie Fife was explosive in the centre.

The Co-ops led 17-7 at the break thanks to tries from second-row Murray Douglas, winger Callum Anderson and Fife. Accies’ first half points came through a converted Josh Pecqueur try.

The Co-ops’ two second-half scores came through Heriot’s back-row Fraser Brown, who was on as a replacement, and captain Sean Crombie, who is the Boroughmuir hooker.

Accies’ second try came from “on loan” Scotland under-20 player Alex Henderson, with Ruairidh Bonner converting.