Watson’s set sights on historic cup defence but final rivals Dundee have high hopes

Defending champions George Watson’s College will attempt to become the first school to retain the Scottish Schools under-16 Cup title when they face High School of Dundee on the international pitch at BT Murrayfield tomorrow night.

Last year Watson’s had a big win over Stewart’s-melville College and, with five of the Myreside squad back for a second year, there is a useful level of continuity in what is a nerve-testing occasion for young rugby players.

Watson’s came through the rounds with wins over Balfron High School, Shawlands Academy, St Aloysius College and then Merchiston.

“The Merchiston semi-final was a quality match and a good win for us considering we had lost to them two weeks earlier.” said Mike Ker, the Watson’s coach, adding: “We have pace on the wings, clever half-backs and a strong back row.

“I’ve coached this group since S2 and they’ve really developed well. The cup final will be daunting for these players in front of a 6,000 crowd, so it’s a case of how quickly they settle into the game.”

Among the crowd will be the Edinburgh coach, Richard Cockerill, whose son Stanley is at full-back for Watson’s.

High School of Dundee have been in schools cup finals three times previously but never at under-16 level.

What makes the Mayfield side’s appearance in the final so welcome is that the school has had a difficult couple of seasons at first-xv level.

Coached by Colin Sangster and Christie O’donnell, High School of Dundee have enjoyedagoodcampaign,winning the Eclipse Conference at under-16 with an unbeaten run. In reaching the cup final at Murrayfield, the Dundee side had wins over Preston Lodge, Linlithgow Academy, Edinburgh Academy and then in the semi -final, Fettes College.

High School of Dundee’s director of rugby, Phil Godman, recognises that Watson’s will be very strong but expects the experience gained by some of his players in regional rugby together with the confidence generated by winning will prove significant tomorrow night..

“We’ve got a lot of boys involved in the Caley set-up,” said Godman.