Eagles set to soar into new season

Aug 1 2008 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

TOMORROW sees the first senior rugby for the 2008 /09 season at the North Inch as the Eagles play host to teams from Carnoustie, Whitecraigs and two from Aberdeen Grammar FPs.

The round robin tournament will begin at 11am and all the games will be played under the new Experimental Law Variations(ELVs).

Coaches Andy Henderson and Derek Busby have named a squad of 25 players to compete in the tournament.

Both have highlighted the opportunity for those younger members of the squad to stake their claim for 1st XV selection.

“Numbers attending pre-season have been good and we are happy with the way the boys are adapting to the new changes,” said Derek yesterday.

“But tomorrow will be the first test and it provides a great chance for the newer and younger members of the squad to show their mettle.”

Like Perthshire, both Carnoustie and Whitecraigs have concentrated on their development programmes in the last couple of seasons and both are beginning to move up the leagues.

But it is the squad from the Granite City who will provide stiff opposition with their recent Premiership 1 status and their experiences when trialling the new laws two seasons ago.

Youth Rugby

U16S AND U15s continue their training on Wednesday nights, from 6.45pm-8pm.

Sunday, August 3, will start the Sunday sessions. All players should be ready at 10.30am.

Summer Camps

THE S1-S4 rugby camp starts on Monday, August 4, and runs until Friday, August 8, with the P4-P7 camp from August 11-15.

There are places still available for both.

Anyone interested in taking part should contact rugby development officer Andy Cummins on 077177-98698.

SOME of Scotland’s top young rugby talents were taking part in training in the Big County this week.

Around 150 youngsters in the U14-17 age group were at the Struan rugby camp to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Highland Perthshire performance rugby camp.

They trained with Scotland 7s and Glasgow Warriors player Mike Adamson.

The youngsters were shown practice plays.

SRU president Jim Stevenson joined senior performance development manager and former Scotland internationalist, Grant McKelvey, at the camp.