Students taught a lesson by Irishmen

The Scottish Students were handed a tough lesson by a Connacht ‘A’ team which was packed with full-time players at Murrayfield yesterday.

The Irish side won the match on the back pitches 56-3, Scotland’s only points coming from the boot of highly-rated University of Abertay/Dundee HSFP centre Jack Steele.

The Scottish Students knew they would be facing a good side, but the squad that Connacht sent over had three players that have already featured in the Heineken Cup this year and numerous other players with top team experience. And the hosts’ plight was not helped by the fact that eight players who would have started for them were not released by their clubs for the representative fixture.

Scottish Students head coach Dave Ross said: “It certainly was a tough day at the office for the boys, the quality that Connacht had out was good enough to compete and probably beat most of our Premier One clubs.

“Some of Connacht’s finishing was top class, but the boys stuck to their task and I am sure as individuals they will have learnt from this testing experience.”