Scotland Club XV forwards earn praise

CURRIE back Jamie Forbes has praised the Scotland Club XV pack as the squad prepare to take on their French counterparts at the Stade Pierre Rajon in Bourgoin this evening.

In last week’s win over Ireland at Millbrae, stand-off Lee Millar, who kicked 20 points, and winger Craig Gossman, who ran in a superb try, gained many of the plaudits.

However, it was prop Alex Allan who was named man of the match and Forbes, who this week has shifted from full-back to the wing, knows what a good platform the forwards gave the team last time out.

He said: “I think last week against Ireland the pack really did a good job. They were up against a huge Irish pack, but never let them get the upper hand. That platform allowed us to use the ball when we could and it was a great feeling to win. Now we want to become the first club international side to win two matches in a season.”

Since 2008, the Club XV have played two matches a season, but have never won both.

To do so this year, they will have to record a win in France for the first time ever at this level. In 2009 the team went down 13-12 in Rouen and in 2011 they lost 30-18 in Orleans.

Scotland Club XV: Fraser Thomson (Melrose); Craig Gossman (Ayr), Max Learmonth (Heriot’s), Dean Kelbrick (Ayr), Jamie Forbes (Currie); Lee Millar (Gala), Peter Jericevich (Ayr); Robin Hislop (Boroughmuir), Fraser Brown (Heriot’s), Alex Allan (Edinburgh Accies), Murray Douglas (Aberdeen Grammar), Ross Miller (Melrose), Mark Cairns (Currie), Andrew Nagle (Melrose), Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Accies). Subs: Kevin Bryce (Heriot’s), Gary Holborn (Melrose), Luke Pettie (Gala), Jason Hill (Heriot’s), Gary Graham (Gala), Murray McConnell (Ayr), Craig Robertson (Gala), Cameron Ferguson (Heriot’s).