Head coach Bob McKillop has named his squad to face Ireland Club XV at Energia Park in Dublin this Friday 13 February (kick-off 6:30pm, live on irishrugby+)
McKillop’s side is made up of players who represented their district in the Inter-District Championships, blending youth and experience for the showdown in Donnybrook.
Ayr RFC’s Blair Macpherson will lead the side in his fourth campaign for the Club XV, bringing with him his experience of playing in Donnybrook. The number 8 is joined in the back row by teammate Tim Brown at openside flanker and Heriot’s Rugby captain Ruairidh Leishman on the blindside.
Jack Dobie (Melrose RFC) and Struan Cessford (Heriot’s Rugby) will pack down at loosehead and tighthead prop respectively, with Hawick RFC’s Fraser Renwick selected at hooker.
Angus Runciman (Melrose RFC) and Oscar Baird (Ayr RFC) slot in at lock to complete the forward pack while in the back division, stand-off Dwain Patterson (Kelso RFC) and scrum-half Gregor Christie (Currie Chieftains) make up the half-back pairing.
Bobby Beattie (Ayr RFC) links up with Andrew Mitchell (Hawick RFC) in the midfield, while Ben Pickles (Selkirk RFC) starts on the left wing and Jamie Shedden (Ayr RFC) on right. Vice-captain Glenn Bryce (Stirling County RFC) is named at full-back to complete the starting XV.
Hooker Elliot Young (Heriot’s Rugby), props Jamie Drummond (Ayr RFC) and Dan Gamble (Kelso RFC), as well as second row Ruaraidh Hart (Stirling County RFC) and back row Sam Wallace (Heriot’s Rugby), will bolster the forward pack as replacements.
Euan McKirdy (GHA RFC) provides cover at scrum-half while Borders duo, full-back Callum Anderson (Selkirk RFC) and winger Archie Barbour (Kelso RFC), complete the replacements.
Speaking ahead of the encounter, McKillop said: “I can’t speak highly enough of the training squad of 38 players, both as rugby players and as people. They brought enthusiasm and energy to all our sessions and this selection process has been the one of the toughest I’ve had in over 30 years of coaching.
“The matchday squad is very skilled with a blend of experience and up and coming players. We are incredibly excited about the opportunity and look forward to donning the Thistle in Dublin on Friday.”
Scotland will travel to Ireland to contest the Dalriada Cup which was first introduced in 2011 to mark the historic ties between the two nations.
Scotland Club XV team to face Ireland Club XV at Energia Park in Dublin on Friday 13 February, kick-off 6:30pm – live on irishrugby+.
15. Glenn Bryce – Stirling County RFC – Vice-Captain
14. Jamie Shedden – Ayr RFC
13. Andrew Mitchell – Hawick RFC
12. Bobby Beattie – Ayr RFC
11. Ben Pickles – Selkirk RFC
10. Dwain Patterson – Kelso RFC
9. Gregor Christie – Currie Chieftains
1. Jack Dobie – Melrose RFC
2. Fraser Renwick – Hawick RFC
3. Struan Cessford – Heriot’s Rugby
4. Angus Runciman – Melrose RFC
5. Oscar Baird – Ayr RFC
6. Ruairidh Leishman – Heriot’s Rugby
7. Tim Brown – Ayr RFC
8. Blair Macpherson – Ayr RFC – Captain
Replacements
16. Elliot Young – Heriot’s Rugby
17. Jamie Drummond – Ayr RFC
18. Dan Gamble – Kelso RFC
19. Ruaraidh Hart – Stirling County RFC
20. Sam Wallace – Heriot’s Rugby
21. Euan McKirdy – GHA RFC
22. Callum Anderson – Selkirk RFC
23. Archie Barbour – Kelso RFC
Take Away
The term “wicket” is used multiple times in cricket. Getting a wicket is dismissing a batsman. Losing a wicket is getting dismissed. A bowler who dismisses a batsman is said to take a wicket. Sometimes, a cricket pitch is called a wicket, although this is considered incorrect by the Laws of Cricket. Regardless, it is still being used, especially by commentators.
Dangle
And what’s Test Cricket, you ask? It’s the longest form of the sport of cricket: The two teams play a four-innings match, which may last up to five days or longer.