Capital club players selected to take on Irish XV

The 35-man squad will play the Irish away on Friday, February 23 and at Netherdale, Galashiels, on Friday, March 16. Before those games, they will face a training match versus Scotland Under-20s on January 23.

Currie backs Charlie Shiel, Jamie Forbes and Robbie Nelson are joined by Thomas Gordon in the forwards.

Rory Hutton is the sole Watsonians back included, with Nick Fraser, Ross Graham and Rory Drummond selected amongst the forwards.

Boroughmuir are represented by winger Jordan Edmunds.

League leaders Melrose are rewarded for their strong start to the season with ten players selected while reigning BT Premiership champions Ayr have eight men in the squad.

Melrose head coach Rob Chrystie takes charge of the team and is joined by Glen Tippett, who will assist as forwards coach. Previous head coach Phil Smith, of Heriot’s, will remain in the set-up as a selector.

Scotland Club International XV Squad 2018:

Backs: Charlie Shiel (Currie Chieftains); David Armstrong (Ayr); Murdo McAndrew (Melrose); Gregor Hunter (Gala); Jamie Forbes (Currie Chieftains); Craig Jackson (Melrose); George Taylor (Melrose); Robbie Nelson (Currie Chieftains); Rory Hutton (Watsonians); Ross Curle (Stirling County); Craig Gossman (Ayr); Fraser Thomson (Melrose); Jordan Edmunds (Boroughmuir); Robbie Nairn (Ayr); Scott Bickerstaff (Marr).

Forwards: Adam Nicol (Stirling County); Nick Fraser (Watsonians); Nick Beavon (Melrose); Sean Muir (Hawick); Steven Longwell (Ayr); Struan Cessford (Heriot’s); Grant Stewart (Glasgow Hawks); Ross Graham (Watsonians); Russell Anderson (Melrose); Blair Macpherson (Ayr); Jack Turley (Heriot’s); James Head (Melrose); Robert McAlpine (Ayr); George Stokes (Ayr); Grant Runciman (Melrose); Ian Moody (Melrose); Pete McCallum (Ayr); Neil Irvine Hess (Melrose); Rory Drummond (Watsonians); Thomas Gordon (Currie Chieftains).