Camp will help select U18 team

Scotland’s elite under-18 players will meet this week for the first of several training camps that form part of the selection process for the national team ahead of the international season.

The young Scots will play several warm-up matches including a full international against Wales and a game against Scotland under-19s before taking part in a six nations tournament during Easter week. In this competition, again staged in Wales, Scotland will play against England, France and Ireland.

In total, 37 young players have been selected to attend this week’s training camp at BT Murrayfield on Thursday and Friday under the direction of head coach, Ian Monaghan and assistants Ally Donaldson and Ross Miller.

Strathallan provide four players: second row Cameron Henderson, No.8 Alex Marsh, inside centre Angus Vipond and outside back Ollie Smith to the squad. But the largest representation is from Merchiston, who supply five players: front row Dan Gamble, flanker Tyler Thomas, scrum-half Jamie Dobie, centre Matthew Currie and full-back Rufus Mclean. Returning for a second year are the Stewart’s-melville duo of flanker Connor Boyle and wing Jack Blain.

But head coach Monaghan stresses that the door is open to all players. He said: “There are 17 players who are in the BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy but there are a number of other players who get the opportunity to come in alongside the Academy players and continue their development journey.”