So it’s not a cut-and-thrust championship but rather a chance for players to test themselves at a higher level than in their domestic competitions. It’s about development and performing satisfactorily before taking the next step in their rugby careers.
That said, it’s still interesting to review how Scotland fared compared to the other seven countries, among whom hosts, France, and Italy finished with three wins apiece. France were a notch above the rest defeating Georgia 49-22 in round one, before achieving a tight win by 33-31 over Wales and then finishing with a flourish by ending Ireland’s chances of 100 percent record with a 43-29 victory.
Ireland were the only country to have a two from three record while Scotland’s one from three was mirrored by Wales, Georgia, Spain and England. So measured against the latter four, the young Scots can feel satisfied with their efforts and especially from their final round victory where they were comfortable winners against a Georgia side that had run England very close (31-35) in round two.
Scotland went into the Festival arguably below full strength due to injuries to a number of players who had performed outstandingly throughout the season. But, as head coach Ross Miller admitted, it was not a worry for the management team.
“I was not concerned, because I think there’s always got to be opportunities for players to come in and some have done that and taken their chance in the squad. Of course there are players missing who potentially could have been around the squad and could have done really well. They’ve not had that opportunity, but someone else has gained some experience and that’s sometimes how it works,” said Miller.
“There’s a couple of props who have picked up injuries and who would have been around the squad,” Miller added. “There’s also second-rows, they too have picked up long-term injuries. There’s also a couple of back-rows. Then there’s Cameron McGarey, the Ayr scrum half, who picked up an injury so he’s not here, along with Luca Anderson [the George Watson’s College inside-centre], and SQ and Bristol-based wing Glen Gammell. So maybe eight or nine players missing.”
Then, of course, there was Jake Dalziel, who would have been a first choice for the U18s but the decision was (correctly) made to keep him with the U20s.
Not that Scotland lacked a top class stand-off as squad skipper Angus Robson amply demonstrated with quality displays throughout the three rounds of matches.
“Angus has been excellent,” confirmed Miller. “He’s got an excellent all-round game and he’s definitely one to watch. I think he could move on quickly. He’s the same age as Jake, but you need two stand-offs [in a squad].
“I think that’s just a reminder of what this program’s about. It’s about identifying the next group of players who are going to kick on and progress. So, I think the exciting thing is we’ve definitely got a good group of guys who have put their hands up. The challenge is, as always, to get better and get there quickly. And this squad has done well.”
With Robson pulling the strings, Scotland’s backs benefitted, and probably none more than Ben McDonald, the Currie Chieftains and Strathallan back who played both at outside-centre and on the wing, and who proved to be one of the Scots’ big successes.
“Ben is looking a very powerful runner. He’s so effective with ball in hand. He breaks tackles and moves well. He’s also done very well in the Festival” commented Miller, who also praised fellow centre Charlie Robbie, a product of Melrose Wasps and Loretto, saying: “Charlie’s not flashy, but, good in defence and his distribution is very sound. I think his core skill set is excellent and he’s a very composed defender. His strength is probably around his contact skills. He and Ben work really well together.”
Another back to catch the eye was Xander Sneddon of Stirling County, a ten playing at full-back, who scored two stylish tries in Scotland’s campaign.
“Xander’s got a bit of X-factor. He’s very exciting on the ball. and he’s definitely developing and learning. He’s under 17 and he’s got a lot of potential, so he could be a very good stand-off for us next year,” predicted Miller.
Sneddon is not the only under-17 in the Scotland squad. Also available for next year’s Festival is the Dollar wing Ruaridh Law and the Deeside scrum-half Olly McKenzie, the brother of Scotland U20s No 9 Adam McKenzie.
Murray Waugh carries the ball during Scotland U18s’ win over Georgia on Saturday morning. Image: Joe Anderson
Amongst the forwards, much credit must go to the front-row brigade, especially in the final game against Georgia where they were up against muscular opposition, with eye-catching displays from Zak Burgess, James Roberts and Cooper Simpson, the latter replacing the injured Will Geary. So, too, the second-row of Dan Shellard and James Dalrymple. Speaking about the latter’s contribution Miller was full of praise: “I thought James was excellent. He’s really grown with each game he’s played, and he’s actually played every minute. So in terms of his robustness and fitness, he’s done well because that’s 210 minutes of rugby in 12 days.”
As for Shellard – originally of Garioch and now based in Glasgow playing senior rugby for GHA – he is surely proof that players from the North East are being identified and developed.
Among the back-rows, Rowan Walsh at No 8 stood out along with the blindside flanker and Kiwi, Hamish Mather, whose father, Cameron, played for Scotland, both players certainly two to watch in the future.
So, overall, Scotland’s participation in the Six Nations U18 Festival can be viewed as a worthwhile exercise from which a number of players will surely go on to higher levels of rugby. But there still remains the nagging question of the reliability of the pathway system in identifying players good enough to play for Scotland at U18 level.
Are those lucky enough to reach Scotland age-grade squads there because their talents have been developed through quality coaching and exposure to competitive rugby? And if so, how many nuggets are still out there who have not had the benefit of strength and conditioning advice, expert honing of skills and top class match experience, meaning they never had a fair crack at reaching the high standards required for this stratum of performance?
That surely is the pathway challenge for the future if Scotland is to realise its full potential.
Scotland Men U18 squad –Scotland Men U18 squad:
Forwards:
Props:Zak Burgess (GHA)William Geary (Cheltenham College) replaced by Cooper Simpson (Harlequins)Michael Scarth (Glenalmond College)Archie Smellie (Peebles)Hookers:Jack Nesbitt (Sedbergh School)James Roberts (Robert Gordon’s College)Second-row:James Dalrymple (Stewart’s-Melville College)Oliver Richardson (George Watson’s College)Daniel Shellard (GHA)Back-row:Angus Abel (Stewart’s-Melville College)Rory Baxter (GHA)Rowan Walsh (Stirling County/Morrison’s Academy)Bradley Bohmer (Ipswich School)Hamish Mather (Strathallan School)
Backs:
Scrum-halves:Olly McKenzie (Deeside)Coel Pettet (Strathallan School/Dunbar)Stand-offs:Angus Robson CAPTAIN (George Watson’s College)Lochlan Glackin (Denstone College)Centres:Finlay Anderson (Strathallan School/Preston Lodge)Charlie Robbie (Melrose/Loretto School)Murray Waugh (Hutchesons Grammar School/Glasgow Hawks)Back-three:Rhuari Hill (Wellington College)Ruaridh Law (Dollar Academy)Ben McDonald (Currie Chieftains/ Strathallan School)Samuela Lawaci (Merchiston Castle School)Alexander Sneddon (Stirling County)