Emerging Scotland

Emerging Scotland
UnionScottish Rugby Union
EmblemThe Thistle
Founded2024
LocationScotland
CoachGregor Townsend
CaptainLiam McConnell
Top scorerOllie Blyth-Laffery (5pts)
Most triesOllie Blyth-Laffery (1 try)
Team kit
Change kit
First international
Emerging Scotland 7 – 24 Italy U23
(2024)
Largest defeat
Emerging Scotland 7 – 24 Italy U23
(2024)

Emerging Scotland is a Scottish international rugby union team that represents Scotland in selected matches, tours and competitions. Composed of Scotland qualified players only, mostly uncapped or at the beginning of their careers, it forms part of the development pathway to the senior Scotland team. It is not to be confused with the Scotland 'A', the national 'A' team which competes and is a level below the national side but with no age restrictions, nor with the Scotland U-20s with strict age limits that competes in the Under-20 Six Nations and Rugby World Cup.

History

The Emerging Scotland side was part of the National Academy pilot programme which was launched in September 2024 to add increased value to the development of a selected group of promising players. It is part of the Scottish Rugby Male Performance Pathway.

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend said: “This fixture enables us to bring our best young players together, have a week of training with national team coaches, and take on a quality international side.

“Similar fixtures that will look to expose emerging talented Scottish players to high level competition will aim to be included going forward. Probably the most important element of a young player’s development is learning by playing at a higher level than you’ve previously experienced. The game has always been the best teacher and we believe that our players will reap the benefits from this experience."[1]

Their first match was a 24-7 loss against Italy,[2][3] their second match was a 24-19 loss against Tonga XV.[4]

Current squad

There was named a 32 man squad for their match against Tonga XV.

Head Coach: Gregor Townsend

Note: Caps listed are full international caps.

Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Mikey Jones Prop (2002-07-08) 8 July 2002 0 Edinburgh
Jake Shearer Prop (2002-11-09) 9 November 2002 0 Glasgow Warriors
Jamie Stewart Prop (2006-04-21) 21 April 2006 0 Edinburgh Rugby
Harri Morris Hooker (2001-10-13) 13 October 2001 1 Edinburgh
Jerry Blyth-Lafferty Hooker (2004-02-06) 6 February 2004 0 Edinburgh
Seb Stephen Hooker (2003-12-14) 14 December 2003 0 Glasgow Warriors
Ollie Blyth-Lafferty Prop (2006-04-04) 4 April 2006 0 Edinburgh
Cole Lamberton Prop 0 Edinburgh Rugby
Oliver McKenna Prop (2006-03-28) 28 March 2006 0 Glasgow Warriors
Euan McVie Lock (2004-12-13) 13 December 2004 0 Edinburgh
Christian Lindsay Lock 0 Edinburgh
Jare Oguntibeju Lock (2002-05-14) 14 May 2002 0 Glasgow Warriors
Ryan Burke Lock (2004-06-18) 18 June 2004 0 Glasgow Warriors
Liam McConnell (c) Flanker (2004-06-24) 24 June 2004 1 Edinburgh
Freddy Douglas Flanker (2002-05-14) 14 May 2002 1 Edinburgh
Josh Taylor Flanker (2002-06-28) 28 June 2002 0 Ealing Trailfinders
Macenzzie Duncan Flanker (2003-02-23) 23 February 2003 0 Glasgow Warriors
Jonny Morris Flanker (2004-01-09) 9 January 2004 0 Glasgow Warriors
Tom Currie Number 8 (2004-09-21) 21 September 2004 0 Edinburgh
Ben Afshar Scrum-half (2003-04-02) 2 April 2003 0 Glasgow Warriors
Conor McAlpine Scrum-half (2004-04-27) 27 April 2004 0 Edinburgh
Jack Oliver Scrum-half (2003-04-28) 28 April 2003 0 Glasgow Warriors
Cammy Scott Fly-half (2001-09-08) 8 September 2001 0 Edinburgh
Matthew Urwin Fly-half (2005-04-17) 17 April 2005 0 Glasgow Warriors
Lewis Wells Wing (2002-11-20) 20 November 2002 0 Edinburgh
Malelili Satala Wing (2004-10-24) 24 October 2004 0 Edinburgh
Kerr Yule Centre (2005-07-08) 8 July 2005 0 Glasgow Warriors
Johnny Ventisei Centre (2005-04-05) 5 April 2005 0 Glasgow Warriors
Geordie Gwynn Centre (2004-01-22) 22 January 2004 0 Ealing Trailfinders
Findlay Thomson Wing (2004-07-22) 22 July 2004 0 Edinburgh
Fergus Watson Wing (2005-06-26) 26 June 2005 0 Glasgow Warriors
Jack Brown Fullback (2005-06-18) 18 June 2005 0 Edinburgh

See also

Men's national teams

Senior

Development

Age grades

Women's national teams

References

  1. ^ Lamont, Michael (December 9, 2024). "Emerging Scotland squad named for Italy match this weekend". Scottish Rugby.
  2. ^ "Preview: Emerging Scotland v Italy Under-23s". Scottish Rugby. December 14, 2024.
  3. ^ "Report: Emerging Scotland 7 - 24 Italy U23s". Scottish Rugby. December 13, 2024.
  4. ^ https://scottishrugby.org/fanzone/report-emerging-scotland-12-19-tonga-xv/