A new-look coaching team will lead Scotland A into battle this season, with Nick Scrivener and Stevie Scott today named as the duo who will oversee the three Netherdale fixtures against USA Eagles (Friday November 19 2010, kick-off 7.30pm), Italy A (Friday 28 January 2011), and Ireland A (Friday 4 February 2011).
Scrivener, the Edinburgh assistant coach, was one of Sean Lineen’s right hand men on the last occasion Scotland A played in Galashiels, the 38-7 win over Tonga a year ago, and remained a lieutenant for the IRB Nations Cup back in June. The former ACT Brumbies man will be head coach this time around.
Scott, meanwhile, retains the deputy role he filled five months ago in Romania. The one-time hooker will be returning to familiar territory, having been based at Netherdale in both his Gala club days and his spell with the Border Reivers professional team. Scott now works with the full Scotland team as a senior specialist coach.
Confirmation of his and Scrivener’s involvement with the A team was today greeted enthusiastically by both men.
Scrivener, who previously coached the Wallaby A team in his native Australia, said: “I’m honoured to have been given this opportunity, and I’m really looking forward to the games, especially USA Eagles because it’s now only a couple of weeks away.
“Myself and Stevie, and the rest of the management team, will be doing everything we can to put the players in a position to win the game: that will be our overriding focus the whole week.
"We'll be tapping into the ability these guys have, and their desire to play for Scotland. You only have to look at players like Alex Grove, Richie Gray and Joe Ansbro to see that if you do well at this level, you do your chances with the national team absolutely no harm at all.
“The Tonga match at Netherdale last year was a fantastic occasion to be part of; we got a really good crowd in and put on a really pleasing performance. I’d like to encourage as many people as possible in Gala and beyond to turn out and get behind us for what should be another memorable night.”
Admission to all three of this season’s Scotland A matches at Netherdale is FREE.
Scott today joined Scrivener in calling for supporters to take full advantage of the chance to see Scotland stars of the future develop at close quarters. He said: “These games are an ideal opportunity for people in the Borders to see some outstanding talent on both sides.
“Everyone who came along to the Tonga match last year knows that it was the start of a great rugby weekend, with the full team beating Australia at Murrayfield the following day.
“We’ll be doing everything we can to make sure we give the fans another night to remember against the USA, and I’m really looking forward to seeing players show they’ve got what it takes to compete and win at international level.”
For USA Eagles, the Netherdale clash is the middle instalment in a three-match European venture. They face Portugual in an IRB raking test match in Lisbon on 13 November before travelling from Gala to Tblisi and a date with Scotland’s Rugby World Cup pool opponents Georgia on 27 November.
Graham Lowe, Scottish Rugby’s director of performance, said: “It’s great to be bringing the USA to Netherdale. They will provide a strong test for our players, and are also attractive opposition in terms of encouraging fans to come to the game. It’s the perfect way to kick off what should be a great run of fixtures for Scotland A in Gala.
“I’d like to thank Sean Lineen for all the good work he did as A team head coach, and wish Nick and Stevie every success for the upcoming games.”
SCOTLAND A AT NETHERDALE IN SEASON 2010/11
Friday 19 November 2010, kick-off 7.30pm: Scotland A v USA Eagles
Friday 28 January 2011, kick-off TBC: Scotland A v Ireland A
Friday 4 February 2011, kick-off TBC: Scotland A v Italy A
