Edinburgh Rugby squad delivered a coaching clinic to over 120 youngsters from three Border schools on the all-weather surface at Netherdale today.
Pupils from the Selkirk, Peebles and Hawick high school were treated to skills and position-specific rugby training as a thank you to the club’s growing support in the region as the players continued their recovery from the bonus-point win over London Irish which booked their place in the Heineken Cup quarter-final.
Last Sunday a Scottish Heineken Cup record crowd of around 11,000 celebrated as former Selkirk star Lee Jones scored the bonus-point try that secured a home tie in the last eight – a first for any Scottish club – while in December, a Scottish RaboDirect PRO12 record of more than 13 thousand (13,246), turned out for the inter-city derby against Glasgow Warriors.
Jones’ recent selection in Scotland’s 2012 RBS 6 Nations means he couldn't make the trip to the Borders but the youngsters did get the chance to pick the brains of some of the club’s top performers, as well as forwards coach Tom Smith, the former Scotland and British Lions prop.
Among the 20 players at Netherdale was Chris Paterson, the club’s record cap holder and points’ scorer, who delivered a kicking masterclass with fellow full-back, Jim Thompson, while try-machine Tim Visser coached catching and passing and Fiji internationalist Netani Talei was among those that worked on off-load and tackle technique.
Edinburgh Rugby chief executive Craig Docherty, said: “The support we’ve had at our recent matches from fans in the Borders has been excellent and it’s important that we recognise and repay that support with meaningful rugby events.”
With the date and time now confirmed the club are expecting another rush for the hottest ticket in town, with advanced purchases priced at only £15 for adults, £10 for concessions and £5 for students and under-18s, with a special thank-you offer for season ticket holders coming soon.
>> CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS FOR EDINBURGH RUGBY v TOULOUSE IN THE HEINEKEN CUP QUARTER-FINAL, call 0131 346 5180 or visit the Murrayfield ticket centre in person!
