Aberdeen Grammar’s Nat Coe and Robin Cessford have been included in the Scotland Club XV squad ahead of the upcoming double-header against Ireland.
The Rubislaw duo are part of the 35-man training squad ahead of the opening match at Netherdale on January 31 with the Scots travelling to Dublin to take on their Irish counterparts a week later.
The squad will be looking to win back the Dalriada Cup from holders Ireland, with the winner decided by the aggregate score over the two matches.
Coe, a PE teacher at Aberdeen Grammar, said: “It is the first time I have been included in the squad so I am very excited.
“I didn’t expect to be included.
“I changed position this season from centre to back row and I knew I was playing better rugby than I have before.
“It was great to get the call and it is nice to have Robin in the squad as well.”
Every Tennent’s Premiership club is represented in the group of 20 forwards and 15 backs, with four players returning to the squad from last year.
Shawn Muir (Hawick), Gary Strain (Glasgow Hawks), Gregor Hunter and Fergus Scott (both Currie Chieftains) retain their positions in the squad, which was defeated last year at Netherdale before earning a draw in Donnybrook, Dublin.
The Scotland Club XV will host Ireland at Netherdale on Friday January 31 and travelling away to play the return fixture in Donnybrook, Dublin on Friday February 7.
Head coach Scott Wight said: “It was really hard to narrow the group down to the 35 players that were selected. There have been a number of players who have impressed throughout the Tennent’s Premiership this season, so there were some tough decisions to be made in key areas.
“We feel we have an excellent balance in the squad and that was evident in the first training session. The hard work starts now for everyone as we head into the first game against Ireland at Netherdale in a few weeks’ time.”
