Schools rugby: Old rivals’ confidence high

Both sides go into this match with a confidence borne out of a string of good performances this season. Merchiston’s morale was boosted by a strong showing at the National Schools Rugby Festival at St Josephs in Ipswich, while the Academy have enjoyed wins against Durham School and, more recently, against another English side, Culford.

“It should be an excellent game on Saturday, especially after Merchiston’s good performances in Ipswich,” said Academy coach Mark Appleson.

His Merchiston counterpart, James Boyd, said: “After a slow start to the season, we are beginning to gain some momentum. The tournament at Ipswich was demanding and we produced some pleasing performances against strong English schools. It was excellent preparation for the second half of the season.

“We’ll be strengthened for the game on Saturday by the return of our captain Nick Wright and No 8 Magnus Bradbury to the starting line-up.”

The two sides could meet again in the semi-final of the Brewin Dolphin Cup Scottish Schools Under-18 Cup if Academy can overcome Robert Gordon’s College at Countesswells next week in one of the two quarter-final matches still to be played. The other outstanding quarter-final tie will go ahead on Saturday at Myreside where last season’s beaten semi-finalists, George Watson’s College face Hutchesons’ Grammar School. Watson’s will be favourites to win this match despite having had a run of bad luck with injuries.

“We haven’t been able to field our strongest team yet. Hopefully a few will have recovered over the October break,” said Watson’s coach, Ally Donaldson.

Meanwhile, the Brewin Dolphin Girls Cup was launched yesterday at Murrayfield ahead of regional qualifying matches on Sunday.

The tournament is for under-16 and under-18 age groups but differs from the boys’ competition in that it is open to both schools and clubs.