Long-awaited return to final for St Aloysius, but Merchiston will provide stern test

St Aloysius College return to the Scottish Schools under-18 cup final after an absence of over two decades for tonight’s showcase match against Merchiston on the international pitch at BT Murrayfield.

Back in the era that predated the entry of the big-hitters into the Schools Cup, St Aloysius College were always one of the prominent teams in the competition, winning the trophy five times between 1989 and 1996, an achievement equalled by Galashiels Academy and, after the bulk of fee-paying schoolsjoined, bymerchiston.

Under the coaching of their director of rugby, Mark Mckenzie, St Aloysius have made good progress in addressing what was a slump in their fortunes and confirmed this turnaround by winning the Scottish Schools under-16 event two years ago.

Nine of that cup-winning side will be in the St Aloysius squad for tonight’s final, a core of experience that was influential in the Glasgow school’s semi-final victory over Dollar Academy.

“I think that result showed that on the day we can live with anyone.” said Mckenzie. “But we’re under no illusions about Merchiston. They’re a strong rugby school, they’re well coached and they have a great programme.”

Merchiston have been impressive this season, and not least in their semi-final win over Watson’s, when the experience of their Scotland under-18 international players, scrum half, Jamie Dobie, and centre, Matthew Currie, was a significant factor.

The only change for Merchiston from the semi-final match is at stand-off, where Alexander Fraser comes in for Rory Thain, who has been forced to miss the final because of an immovable Oxford University interview.

Merchiston will go into the final as clear favourites but their coach, Roddy Deans, has warned in his charges not to make assumptions. “Anything can happen in a final. We lost the 2012 final to Watson’s in the last few seconds, when Adam Hastings made the best of a dropped pass to score in the corner. We’ve got our feet on the ground. They know they can’t let this opportunity slip by thinking they just have to turn up.”

Merchiston last won the title in 2008 when Edinburgh centre James Johnstone featured in the Colinton school’s team. A victory tonight would atone for disappointments since then, quite apart from securing a record-breaking sixth title. But that, too, is the prize being dangled in front of St Aloysius in tonight’s very special final.