Comprising young professionals from both Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as players from the SRU’s National Academy, the combined side pulled off a highly commendable 20-19 victory at Doncaster Knights as they got ready for their first Cup assignment at Cornish Pirates on Sunday, 22 November.
“I think the result proved that Gael Force can be serious contenders in this competition and I think it showed the strength of the teams that Gael Force are going to be able to put out,” said full back Tom Bury
“Our strength lies playing good running rugby with lots of offloading and that’s how we intend to play.”
Scottish Rugby’s National Academy Manager, Stephen Gemmell, will be coaching the side and will be assisted by 18-times capped Graham Shiel and 11-times capped hooker Steve Scott.
The new side will be based at Stirling County’s Bridgehaugh ground and the National Academy contracted players available to Gemmell and his coaching team will be:
Grant Anderson (Ayr) Alex Blair (Edin Accies)
Chris Bloomfield (Currie) Fraser Brown (Watsonians)
Tom Brown (Edinburgh Accies) Tom Bury (Boroughmuir)
Nick Campbell (Glasgow Hawks) David Denton (Edin Accies)
Struan Dewar (Heriot’s) Michael Doneghan (Stew Mel)
Alex Dunbar (Selkirk) Chris Fusaro (Heriot’s)
Grant Gilchrist (Heriot’s) Finlay Gillies (Heriot’s)*
Robert Harley (West of Scotland) Robin Hislop (Boroughmuir)
Stuart Hogg (Heriot’s)* Rory Hutton (Heriot’s)
Peter Jericevich (Glasgow Hawks) James Johnstone (Currie)
Nicky Little (Hawick)
Ashleah McCulloch (Watsonians)
Stuart McInally (Watsonians) Lewis Niven (Edin Accies)
Neale Patrick (Boroughmuir) Neil Rodger (Haddington)
Joe Stafford (Glasgow Hawks) Steven Wilson (Edin Accies)
