Glasgow Warriors & Edinburgh Rugby have announced the expansion of their respective professional academies.
Both of Scotland's senior Rugby Union teams have today confirmed a fresh intake of players for the 2024/25 season.
Starting with the latter, Edinburgh's academy of promising players has increased from the previous system of 15 ‘Stage Three Academy players’ to a larger group – which currently sits at 23 but may expand further – and includes several players who will train with both the academy and senior sides through the upcoming campaign.
And in line with the new Performance Player Pathway announcement from Scottish Rugby earlier this year, the expansion of the pro-academy group will now include players up to the age of U23.
Introducing our expanded pro-academy for 2024/25. The expanded set-up allows for the inclusion of later developing players and will further support the ongoing development of homegrown players. Read more ➡️ https://t.co/361yNLltes pic.twitter.com/1zWSBiGROu
— Edinburgh Rugby (@EdinburghRugby) August 6, 2024
Thirteen of the pro-academy roster have been retained by the capital club, including several players that featured in the Scotland squad during the recent World Rugby U20 Trophy.
Scotland U20 captain Liam McConnell (back-row) continues in the pro-academy after leading the age-grade side to the World Rugby U20 Trophy at Hive Stadium earlier this month.
Brothers Ollie (tighthead prop) and Jerry Blyth-Lafferty (hooker) have been playing in the pack alongside Euan McVie (lock), Tom Currie (back-row) and Freddy Douglas (back-row), all of whom will remain in the capital.
In the backs, Hector Patterson (scrum-half) and Jack Hocking (full-back), who both scored tries against Hong Kong China, are also retained.
Ollie Duncan (back-row), Jack Brown (full-back) and Isaac Coates (fly-half) will also continue in the capital’s pro-academy set up.
Harri Morris (hooker) and Mikey Jones (loosehead prop) are also included within the expanded pro-academy, with Jones [#1332] Edinburgh Rugby’s latest debutant after making his first pro appearance in last season’s EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 clash against Bayonne.
Ten newcomers will form the rest of the expanded pro-academy, with a full list of the Edinburgh Rugby Pro-Academy available on the club's website.
Edinburgh Rugby Head Coach, Sean Everitt, said: “I’m incredibly excited about the expansion of our pro-academy group. It’s a testament to the talent coming through our system and a clear indication of our commitment to developing homegrown players.
“With a larger group, we have a fantastic opportunity to nurture these young players and prepare them for the challenges of professional rugby.
“The recent World Rugby U20 Trophy showcased the potential of our young players. Many of them excelled on the international stage, and it’s thrilling to see them return to Edinburgh with a hunger to develop further. This expanded pro-academy group will provide them with the ideal environment to progress their careers.
“We’re looking forward to giving our best young players more opportunities to shine by increasing the number of ‘A’ team fixtures this season.
“Playing against top-level opposition is invaluable experience, and it will undoubtedly accelerate their development. This is an exciting time for Edinburgh Rugby and we believe these young players will play a crucial role in our future success.”
For Warriors, a host of Scottish rugby’s brightest prospects set to train alongside the reigning BKT URC champions at Scotstoun.
Included in the 26-man playing group are eight players who helped Scotland U20 earn promotion back to the World Rugby U20 Championship earlier this month, including standout back-rower Jonny Morris and tight-head Callum Norrie.
Kerr Yule and Ryan Burke similarly return for a second successive season in the club’s academy after helping their country to silverware this summer, as do fellow U20 starlets and 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games gold medallists Johnny Ventisei, Fergus Watson and Mathew Urwin.
Meet the next generation 🤩 2⃣6⃣ of Scotland's brightest prospects will be a part of our newly-expanded senior academy for 2024/25, as we continue to develop future Warriors at Scotstoun 💪#WhateverItTakes ⚔️🛡️https://t.co/4KzmrXtMD6
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) August 6, 2024
GHA product Amena Caqusau – a prolific try-scorer in the final season of the FOSROC Super Series – will look to build upon a promising first season at Scotstoun, as will fellow winger Kerr Johnston, who was invited to train with the senior Scotland setup prior to last autumn’s Rugby World Cup.
Eight further players are set to be involved in the U20 academy cohort for the first time, including prop Jake Shearer, who came off the bench in Scotland’s victory over the USA in the final of the World Rugby U20 Trophy.
Former Scotland U18 captain Joe Roberts and fellow front-rower Ollie McKenna – comfortable at both loose-head prop and hooker – join Shearer in the intake, as do a brace of back-rowers in the form of Archie McMichael and Rory Purvis.
Dan Halkon will combine his academy duties with a Business Studies degree at the University of Strathclyde, with Dumfries Sains centre Alex Brydon completing the first-year intake amongst the U20 group.
Joining Morris and Norrie in the newly-expanded U23 contingent are an additional nine players, including Duncan Munn, who made his senior professional debut off the bench in Glasgow’s 17-13 victory over Cardiff at Scotstoun back in March to become Warrior #360.
