Highland teenager to train with pro sides
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TWO of Scotland’s biggest rugby clubs will cast their eye over talented Highland product Bruce Flockhart.
The former Culloden Academy pupil has been invited to training days with Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby as part of a select group of three to be afforded the chance.
Flockhart will be trained by coaches at both clubs but decisions on which players will be offered contracts will not be made until after the end of the under-18 season.
Part of Highland’s under-18 squad until the end of last season, Flockhart moved schools in September and currently plays for Strathallan School, a boarding school near Perth.
While hoping to continue playing at either Glasgow or Edinburgh university, the number eight sees this as an opportunity to further his game. Right now it’s just an opportunity for them to eyeball some players,” said Flockhart, whose father Donald played for Highland and Scotland’s under-21 side.
“There’s three guys out of my year that have been chosen for a training day with Glasgow and Edinburgh. Nothing can come from it but it’s an early chance for coaches to have a look at me.”
The 17-year-old is currently on a break from his studies and has returned to Culloden. He has just recovered from nine weeks out injured and will play for Highland’s under-18 side against Hawick Wanderers in this weekend’s under-18 National Youth League Cup.
Rugby prowess runs in the family and the younger Flockhart followed in his father’s footsteps last weekend, playing for Scotland’s under-18 side in a 29-12 win over a Scotland District XV.
He went head-to-head with former Highland team-mate Fionnlagh Call, who was representing the District side and admits he still keeps an eye out for the Canal Park club’s results.“Highland have done really well this season and I’ve been impressed with how they’ve done despite losing quite a few players,” said Flockhart.
“University has always been a problem for them as it takes away players and it’s quite hard for the club to hang on to them.
“I played with Fionnlagh for a few years and we’re good mates.”
Flockhart added that he hopes to be part of the under-18 side which plays an Ireland Schools side in Dundee on 21st March.
It is a big away weekend for all of Highland’s squads this weekend. The 1st and 2nd XV’s head to the East Coast for Saturday’s league fixtures.
The 1st XV travel to Redcloak in Stonehaven to take on seventh-placed Mackie Academy and although the form book suggests a win for Highland they will not be taking any chances. The squad remains strong although there have been some changes.
The settled pack sees one change as Jamie Strachan comes into the front row.
A couple of the changes in the backs due to Richard Sim and Craig Findlater being unavailable means Steven Rutledge and David Titterington slot in as replacements. The back-line will look to exploit the ball won up front and a good performance from all of the squad is called for.
The 2nd XV take on North Police Scotland. The recent momentum gained by the squad should see a strong side travel for what will be a third game on the trot. But in this match the squad will have to watch as this side might just be a tougher nut to crack than they have been used to.
Highland’s top junior sides, the under-18s and under-16s also travel together as they head to the borders on Saturday. The under-18s have a National Cup semi-final against Hawick Wanderers, while the under-16s look set to play their long delayed match with Peebles.
Although this is an important match for them, the switch to Saturday might mean several regulars could be missing due to work. Yet coaches Hugh Mackintosh and Andy Sutherland will be keen to see just what their squad can do at such a big venue.
Sunday is Six Nations’ day with Scotland playing Wales and Highland’s under-14 and under-13 squads will get a flavour of what it is like as they travel to Edinburgh to play Boroughmuir in a couple of friendly matches.
Back at Canal Park the Minis and Micros will have their usual 11am Sunday morning training sessions.
