Scrum ‘pox’ puts paid to Scots Under-16 match

AN outbreak of the cutaneous condition known as ‘scrum pox’ within the USA squad forced the cancellation of Scotland’s final match on the concluding day of the Under-16 rugby festival at Wellington College yesterday.

The Scots were due to face England North, who on Wednesday had played against USA but when it became apparent that scrum pox, a contagious condition, had been identified in the American camp, the decision was taken to call off the game against England North as a precaution.

The skin condition, which can be acquired by both viral and bacterial infection, can develop by bodily contact in sports like rugby and wrestling. Forwards, in particular, can develop facial lesions from face-to-face contact in scrums.

“It was very disappointing to have the game cancelled,” said Scotland Under-16 coach David Wilson, adding: “We had made a massive improvement between out first and second games although the 33-5 scoreline against France did not reflect that.”