A horror misunderstanding cost Currie a shot at their 3rd championship title as Heriots snatched a dramatic last-gasp victory in Saturday’s BT Premiership semifinal at Malleny Park.
A ding-dong battle in which the lead changed a total of 5 times appeared to have swung decisively in the home side’s favour when No 8 Ross Weston finished off a driving maul for his 2nd try of the afternoon to put Currie 22 / 21 up with minutes remaining.
Heriots pushed for a response but, when they knocked on to concede a scrum, it looked like their dreams of a double (or treble if you include the Charity Shield) were over.
Currie kept possession as the clock ticked down but scrumhalf Richard Snedden was premature with the boot out and the Goldenacre side were given a lifeline, which they took superbly by setting up replacement flyhalf Gregor McNeish for his 2nd drop goal with the last kick, to spark wild celebrations in the away camp.
It means Heriots, who 1st face Melrose in the BT Cup final a week on Saturday, will travel to Millbrae to face Ayr on 23 April and look to retain their Premiership crown.
Maties (29) 49 / 11 (11) UP-Tuks (Final Score)
FNB Maties (University of Stellenbosch) and FNB UP-Tuks (University of Pretoria)
did battle in the Varsity Cup 2016 at the Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch at 19:00 SA Time (17:00 GMT).
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
Scorers:
Maties:
- Penalties – Ernst Stapelberg (4)
- Drop Goals – 0
- Tries – Edwil van der Merwe (1), Brandon Asher-Wood (1), Beyers de Villiers (2), Remu Malan (1)
- Conversions – Ernst Stapelberg (5)
Tuks:
- Penalties – 0
- Drop Goals – 0
- Tries – Dries Swanepoel (1)
- Conversions – Joshua Stander (3)
Waratahs new CEO Andrew Hore
Could Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connacht one day be taking on the Bulls, Highlanders and Waratahs?
If you believe new New South Wales chief executive Andrew Hore, then the answer is yes.
Hore is leaving his post with Welsh side Ospreys to join the Australian Super Rugby outfit in mid April, and the New Zealander sees a potential future link-up as beneficial to both competitions.
Hore has had a ringside seat in recent seasons as the huge influx of financial muscle into the French Top 14 and England’s Premiership has threatened to leave European rugby’s poor Celtic relations trailing behind.
The southern hemisphere has also felt the commercial weight of French and English riches, with an increasing number of top-class players heading north in their primes for a big payday.
But the prospect of competing against the high-quality teams in Super Rugby would certainly offer television companies a more enticing product, according to Hore.
Waratahs (3) 17 / 21 (21) Rebels (Final Score)
The Waratahs and Melbourne Rebels did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Allianz Stadium, Sydney at 08:05 SA Time (06:05 GMT, 16:05 AEDT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Bulls (20) 23 / 18 (10) Cheetahs (Final Score)
The Vodacom Bulls and Toyota Cheetahs did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria at 19:10 SA Time (17:10 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Kings (23) 33 / 28 (20) Sunwolves (Final Score)
The Southern Kings and Sunwolves did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium at 17:05 SA Time (15:05 GMT, Sunday 00:05 Japan Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Brumbies (13) 23 / 48 (20) Chiefs (Final Score)
The Brumbies and Chiefs did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
GIO Stadium, Canberra at 10:40 SA Time (08:40 GMT, 19:40 AEDT, 21:40 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Blues (15) 24 / 16 (6) Jaguares (Final Score)
The Blues and Los Jaguares did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
QBE Stadium, North Harbour at 08:35 SA Time (06:35 GMT, 19:35 NZ Time, 03:35 ARG Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Lions (20) 37 / 43 (22) Crusaders (Final Score)
The Emirates Lions and Crusaders did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg at 19:00 SA Time (17:00 GMT, Saturday 06:00 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Highlanders (14) 32 / 20 (14) Force (Final Score)
The Highlanders and Western Force did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin at 08:35 SA Time (06:35 GMT, 19:35 NZ Time, 14:35 AWST).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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BT Murrayfield
European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) has announced the key dates for the 2016 / 2017 season ahead of the knockout stages of the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup.
Next season’s tournaments will get underway with 2 Rounds in October, followed by Rounds 3 and 4 in December, and as is customary, the pool stages will reach their conclusion with Rounds 5 and 6 in January.
The quarterfinal matches will be staged at the end of March and the beginning of April 2017 with the semifinals played 3 weeks later.
Then European club rugby’s showcase weekend will return to Edinburgh for the 1st time since 2009 when both the Challenge Cup and Champions Cup finals will be held at BT Murrayfield Stadium on 12 and 13 May 2017.
UCT-Ikeys (7) 25 / 100 (63) UP-Tuks (Final Score)
FNB UCT-Ikeys (University of Cape Town) and FNB UP-Tuks (University of Pretoria)
did battle in the Varsity Cup 2016 at Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town at 12:45 SA Time (10:45 GMT).
The match was not broadcast LIVE on TV in SA.
Scorers:
UCT:
- Penalties – 0
- Drop Goals – 0
- Tries – Guy Alexander (1), Thomas Bednall (2)
- Conversions – 0
Tuks:
- Penalties – Tinus de Beer (1)
- Drop Goals – 0
- Tries – Ruan Steenkamp (1), Jan Enslin (1), Tinus de Beer (1), Duhan van der Merwe (4), Dries Swanepoel (1), Clyde Davids (1)
- Conversions – Joshua Stander (6), Tinus de Beer (3)
*********************************
CUT-Ixias (14) 35 / 26 (7) NMMU-Madibaz (Final Score)
CUT-Ixias (Central University of Technology) and NMMU-Madibaz (Nelson Mandela Bay University)
did battle in the Varsity Cup 2016 at Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town at 15:20 SA Time (13:20 GMT).
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
Scorers:
CUT-Ixias:
- Penalties – 0
- Drop Goals – 0
- Tries – Adrian Rossouw (1), Mauro Bucachane (1), Jasper Wiese (1), Len Noort (1), Meyer van Tonder (1)
- Conversions – Meyer van Tonder (3)
NMMU-Madibaz:
- Penalties – Simon Bolze (1)
- Drop Goals – 0
- Tries – Riaan Esterhuizen (1), Nico Oosthuizen (1), Tyler Paul (1)
- Conversions – Simon Bolze (2)
*********************************
NWU-Pukke (31) 37 / 21 (7) UFS-Shimlas (Final Score)
FNB NWU-Pukke (North West University) and FNB UFS-Shimlas (Free State University)
did battle in the Varsity Cup 2016 at Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town at 17:05 SA Time (15:05 GMT).
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
Scorers:
NWU-Pukke:
- Penalties – Rhyno Smith (1), Bernhard Janse van Rensburg (2)
- Drop Goals – 0
- Tries – Lucian Cupido (1), Jeandré Rudolph (2), Wilmar Arnoldi (1)
- Conversions – Rhyno Smith (1)
UFS-Shimlas:
- Penalties – 0
- Drop Goals – 0
- Tries – Arthur Williams (2), Elandré Huggett (1)
- Conversions – Frederick Mason (1), Pieter-Steyn de Wet (3)
*********************************
Maties (9) 16 / 42 (27) UJ (Final Score)
FNB Maties (University of Stellenbosch) and FNB UJ (University of Johannesburg)
did battle in the Varsity Cup 2016 at Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town at 19:00 SA Time (17:00 GMT).
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
Scorers:
Maties:
- Penalties – 0
- Drop Goals – 0
- Tries – Brandon Asher-Wood (1), Carlisle Nel (1)
- Conversions – 0
UJ:
- Penalties – Divan Nel (3)
- Drop Goals – Divan Nel (1)
- Tries – Ronald Brown (1), Kobus Porter (1), Caswell Khoza (1), Etienne Oosthuizen (1)
- Conversions – Divan Nel (3)
Reds (7) 13 / 15 (12) Waratahs (Final Score)
The Reds and Waratahs did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane at 07:05 SA Time (05:05 GMT, 15:05 AEDT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Jaguares (8) 8 / 13 (13) Stormers (Final Score)
Los Jaguares and the DHL Stormers did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Vélez Sarsfield, Buenos Aires at 23:40 SA Time (21:40 GMT, 18:40 ARG Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Sharks (7) 14 / 19 (7) Crusaders (Final Score)
The Cell C Sharks and Crusaders did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban at 17:05 SA Time (15:05 GMT, Sunday 04:05 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Cheetahs (8) 18 / 25 (15) Brumbies (Final Score)
The Toyota Cheetahs and Brumbies did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein at 15:00 SA Time (13:00 GMT, Sunday 00:00 AEDT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Sunwolves (10) 27 / 30 (16) Bulls (Final Score)
The Sunwolves and Vodacom Bulls did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
the Singapore National Stadium, Singapore at 12:50 SA Time (10:50 GMT, 18:50 Singapore Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Rebels (0) 3 / 27 (13) Highlanders (Final Score)
The Melbourne Rebels and Highlanders did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
AAMI Park, Melbourne at 10:45 SA Time (08:45 GMT, 19:45 AEST, 21:45 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
*******************
The player of the 2016 RBS 6 Nations, Stuart Hogg, went from hero to villain to hero last night at Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow. Hogg, who was presented with the player of the tournament trophy by Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend during a Warriors practice session earlier this week, was shown a Yellow Card less than 2 minutes into the match against Rob Herring’s Ulster for what was deemed by referee John Lacey to be a professional foul on Glasgow’s try line. However, after spending the obligatory 10 minutes off the field his night went from bad to better to brilliant.
Hogg was involved in play on numerous occasions gaining much ground with his incisive running and scored a super try down the left side of the field with a wonderful chip of the top and gather effort. He also had the final say in the match landing a monster penalty kick late on the game to deny Ulster a losing bonus point and send the final score to Glasgow Warriors 27 / 17 Ulster. John Lacey awarded Glasgow a penalty almost 5m inside their own half of the field, up stepped the man of the moment Hoggy who slotted the penalty with ease in spite of a swirling wind.
Chiefs (12) 53 / 10 (10) Force (Final Score)
The Chiefs and Western Force did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
FMG Stadium, Hamilton at 08:35 SA Time (06:35 GMT, 19:35 NZ Time, 14:35 AWST).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Hurricanes (19) 42 / 20 (17) Kings (Final Score)
The Hurricanes and Southern Kings did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Westpac Stadium, Wellington at 08:35 SA Time (06:35 GMT, 19:35 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Fourie du Preez
Springbok scrumhalf Fourie du Preez called time on his illustrious rugby career today (Thursday).
The 34-year-old Du Preez represented South Africa in 76 Tests between 2004 and 2015, captaining the Springboks in 4 Tests at the World Cup in England last year. He also won 164 caps for the Bulls and Blue Bulls from 2001 to 2011, and played 55 times for Suntory Sungoliath in Japan.
Du Preez played his last match in the green and gold in last year’s World Cup semifinal against New Zealand, where he picked up an injury which ruled him out of the 3rd-place play-off. He has subsequently finished his career with Suntory.
“Fourie du Preez will go down in the annals of South African rugby as one of the most decorated players ever,” said SA Rugby President Oregan Hoskins.
Who was your standout player of the 2016 RBS 6 Nations? Read the profiles below for a reminder of the achievements of our nominees.
Gareth Davies:
The Wales scrumhalf took the opportunity that Rhys Webb’s injury presented and impressed throughout the Championship.
He scored a stunning try in their victory over Scotland in Round 2, was RBS 6 Nations Man of the Match in Round 3 against France and claimed the final score of Wales’ Championship when he came off the bench against Italy on Super Saturday.
Guilhem Guirado:
Guy Novès’ France side might have finished with 3 defeats but their captain Guirado led by example throughout.
The hooker was superb, crossing for tries against Wales and Scotland, driving his pack forwards and demonstrating brilliant tackle and breakdown work in every match.
Stuart Hogg:
The Scotland fullback’s scorching try in the final Round against Ireland will live long in the memory but Hogg’s influence throughout the Championship was apparent.
He made 2 tries as Vern Cotter’s side ended their winless run in downing Italy, scored 1 and he scored 1 and made 1 in their historic win over France – while also adding a penalty from his own half. All that before his fantastic solo score in Dublin on Super Saturday.
The Toyota Cheetahs will play a friendly game against Japanese club Toyota Verblitz later this year.
The game, to be played on Friday 23 July in Japan, will serve as preparation for the Japan Top League and Currie Cup competitions.
The match will further strengthen the friendship ties between the 2 teams – who share the same sponsor.
At the end of the 2014 season and after losing a number of players because of limited funding, Free State Cheetahs (Pty) Ltd established a programme whereby players could play in Japan during the Currie Cup season and return to play for the Toyota Cheetahs’ Super Rugby franchise at the conclusion of the Japanese league.
By having Toyota as a sponsor it enabled Free State Rugby to engage freely with Verblitz, a Toyota owned club in Japan.
NMMU (16) 46 / 33 (23) UCT (Final Score)
FNB NMMU (Nelson Mandela Bay University) and FNB UCT-Ikeys (University of Cape Town)
did battle in the Varsity Cup 2016 at Johannesburg at 12:45 SA Time (10:45 GMT).
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
Scorers:
NMMU:
- Penalties – 0
- Drop Goals – 0
- Tries – Ivan-John du Preez (2), Tyler Paul (1), Henry Brown (1), Junior Pokomela (1), Steph Nieuwoudt (1)
- Conversions – Simon Bolze (1), Thomas Kean (3)
UCT:
- Penalties – Thomas Bednall (1)
- Drop Goals – 0
- Tries – Lihleli Xoli (2), Gary Porter (1), Bradley Janse van Rensburg (1)
- Conversions – Thomas Bednall (2)
*********************************
Pukke 12 / 56 Maties (Final Score)
NWU-Pukke (North West University) and FNB Maties (University of Stellenbosch)
did battle in the Varsity Cup 2016 at Johannesburg at 14:45 SA Time (12:45 GMT).
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
Scorers:
Pukke:
- Penalties – 0
- Drop Goals – 0
- Tries – Malherbe Swart (1), Barend Janse van Rensburg (1)
- Conversions – Rhyno Smith (1)
Maties:
- Penalties – Ernst Stapelberg (2)
- Drop Goals – 0
- Tries – Craig Barry (2), Edwil van der Merwe (1), Paul Streicher (1), Beyers de Villiers (1), Duncan Saal (1)
- Conversions – Ernst Stapelberg (5)
*********************************
CUT Ixias (25) 25 / 68 (21) Tuks (Final Score)
CUT-Ixias (Central University of Technology) and FNB UP-Tuks (University of Pretoria)
did battle in the Varsity Cup 2016 at Johannesburg at 16:45 SA Time (14:45 GMT).
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
Scorers:
CUT:
- Penalties – 0
- Drop Goals – 0
- Tries – Darron Baron (1), Jasper Wiese (1), Vincent Maruping (1)
- Conversions – Darron Baron (2)
Tuks:
- Penalties – 0
- Drop Goals – 0
- Tries – Duncan Mathews (1), Duhan van der Merwe (2), Riaan Britz (3), André Warner (1), Luke van der Smit (1)
- Conversions – Joshua Stander (7)
*********************************
Shimlas (20) 49 / 72 (43) UJ (Final Score)
UFS-Shimlas (University of the Free State) and FNB UJ (University of Johannesburg)
did battle in the Varsity Cup 2016 at Johannesburg at 19:00 SA Time (17:00 GMT).
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
Scorers:
Shimlas:
- Penalties – 0
- Drop Goals – 0
- Tries – Mosolwa Mafuma (1), Arthur Williams (2), Stephan Janse van Rensburg (1), Boela Venter (1)
- Conversions – Pieter-Steyn de Wet (5)
UJ:
- Penalties – Divan Nel (3)
- Drop Goals – 0
- Tries – Ronald Brown (2), David Antonites (1), Bradley Moolman (1), Caswell Khoza (1), Wian Conradie (1), Robert de Bruyn (1)
- Conversions – Divan Nel (6)
Jaguares (14) 26 / 30 (13) Chiefs (Final Score)
Los Jaguares and the Chiefs did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Vélez Sarsfield, Buenos Aires at 23:40 SA Time (21:40 GMT, 18:40 ARG Time, Sunday 10:40 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Stormers (9) 31 / 11 (5) Brumbies (Final Score)
The DHL Stormers and Brumbies did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
DHL Newlands, Cape Town at 19:15 SA Time (17:15 GMT, Sunday 04:15 AEDT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Lions (24) 39 / 20 (3) Cheetahs (Final Score)
The Emirates Lions and Toyota Cheetahs did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg at 17:05 SA Time (15:05 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Reds (13) 25 / 25 (15) Blues (Final Score)
The Reds and Blues did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane at 10:45 SA Time (08:45 GMT, 19:45 AEDT, 21:45 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Crusaders (29) 57 / 24 (10) Kings (Final Score)
The Crusaders and Southern Kings did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
AMI Stadium, Christchurch at 08:35 SA Time (06:35 GMT, 19:35 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Sunwolves (6) 9 / 35 (11) Rebels (Final Score)
The Sunwolves and Melbourne Rebels did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo at 06:15 SA Time (04:15 GMT, 13:15 Japan Time, 15:15 AEDT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Bulls (13) 16 / 16 (6) Sharks (Final Score)
The Vodacom Bulls and Cell C Sharks did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria at 19:00 SA Time (17:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Waratahs (0) 26 / 30 (22) Highlanders (Final Score)
The Waratahs and Highlanders did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Allianz Stadium, Sydney at 10:45 SA Time (08:45 GMT, 19:45 AEST, 21:45 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Hurricanes (10) 41 / 6 (3) Force (Final Score)
The Hurricanes and Western Force did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North at 08:35 SA Time (06:35 GMT, 19:35 NZ Time, 14:35 AWST).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Scott Cummings
Over the past year the flower of Scottish rugby is beginning to come back into bloom.
Last season Glasgow Warriors became the first Scottish side to win the Guinness PRO12, then Scotland were agonizingly close to a Rugby World Cup semifinal place with their last gasp defeat to Australia.
Last weekend in the penultimate Round of the RBS 6 Nations, the Scots broke a decade long hoodoo by beating France at BT Murrayfield.
Their compatriots at Under 20s level had made history of their own by beating “The Auld Enemy” England in the tournament’s opening Round for the 1st time since the inception of the Under 20s Six Nations Championship.
Leading the charge of this new generation of young Scots is Under 20s captain and lock Scott Cummings, who due to commitments with his club side Glasgow Warriors will not be playing against Ireland in the final Round of competition after guiding his side to 2 wins.
However, Cummings’ contribution to Scotland’s Under 20s and the experience he has gained playing in the Guinness PRO12 reflects the current renaissance in Scottish rugby.