Rugby

Rugby is one of our three major sports. It is played in the Autumn and Lent Terms; competitive matches are usually against other Scottish schools (and clubs), but also against teams from England, Ireland and Wales. The 1st XV also participates in tournaments and tours overseas. Boys at this level benefit from some of the best training and skills development available.

Boys will also have the opportunity to tour at other levels, such as the U16 sides which sometimes tours in the South of France.

In total there are a six senior teams and twelve junior teams, all of which have regular fixtures, details of which are updated in the Calendar.

The School understands that rugby may not appeal to all boys: however, in the early years, each boy has an opportunity to play in a team that suits his level, as we run three sides per year group. This gives everyone an opportunity to represent his School - which is rare in most schools. (Boys also develop physically at different rates - so the boy that may not enjoy the sport at 10, can often at 16 turn into one of the School's best players.) When boys reach Lower Sixth they have a choice of taking up another sport.

Boys of all ages and all abilities can enjoy sport.

Merchiston is justly famous for its highly successful 1st XV, which has won the Scottish Schools' Cup five times in recent history - equalling the record for any school. The School also has the honour of participating in the world's oldest continuous rugby fixture, against Edinburgh Academy, which started over 150 years ago.

Merchiston won the Bell Lawrie Scottish Schools Cup in 2007/08.

Recent internationalists include Craig Joiner, Peter Walton, Duncan Hodge, Iain Fullarton and Phil Godman. (Indeed three Merchistonians played for Scotland in the world's first rugby international between Scotland and England in 1871 at Raeburn Place in Edinburgh.)

The first ever Scotland international rugby side in 1871. Three Merchistonians represented their country in a victory over England.

Today the School also regularly has players in the Scottish Schools U18 Rugby Team and District sides. We have produced 62 rugby Internationalists.

The School does offer some Sports Scholarships for talented young players: if you are interested please make an enquiry with Admissions.

The School takes Health and Safety very seriously; we are a leading participant in the SRU's "Are you ready to play rugby?" scheme, and have strict policies and procedures regarding match-day safety.

To view some Photo Galleries of recent matches, go to the Media Galleries section.