Four Stirling rugby players selected for national squad

Four University of Stirling athletes have been named in the Scottish Student Rugby squad that will take on Ireland this weekend.

Forwards Andy Orr, Billy Dineen and Bryce Robertson, and back Sam Harrison, have made the 23-man squad for Sunday’s (February 10) tie at Queen’s University Belfast. The side – which includes players from eight institutions – was selected from a wider 30-man squad, who have been in both physical and classroom-based training for the past three weeks.

Captain Rob Lind, from the University of St Andrews, said: “Given that this is the first away fixture for Scottish Students Rugby in a number of years, the boys are keen to lay down a marker for the future.

“I am confident that we can translate the success the Scottish universities are enjoying in the British Universities and College Sport leagues into a strong performance on Sunday. It’s a huge honour to be chosen as captain for a team filled with such talented individuals – hopefully I can serve them well.”

Ben Philip, Head of Competitions at Scottish Student Sport, said: “We are delighted to be sending a team to Ireland after hosting them in 2018. This training squad will give us the chance to ensure that the athletes selected to travel will be the best that the Scottish student body has to offer.

“Huge thanks go to the coaching team and to manager Guy Richardson for the work they have put in to pull this squad together and for the work they will do this month putting the players through their paces, preparing them for what will undoubtedly be a stern test.”

The match kicks off at 2pm on Sunday 10 February at Queen’s University Belfast.