Watsonians RFC
Encyclopedia
Watsonian Football Club is a rugby union
club based in Edinburgh and part of the Scottish Rugby Union
. The club is connected with George Watson's College
as a club for former pupils, but now accepts players who did not attend the school. It is one of a small number of rugby union clubs entitled to call itself a 'football club', rather than a 'rugby football club'.
1st XV - coached by Marcus Di Rollo.
2nd XV - coached by Javier Palacios.
3rd XV- coached by Johnny Sandlan.
4th XV- Managed by Neil Freshwater.
Club Captain - Brian "Baz" Lawson.
1st XV Captain - Scott Laird, Chris Scott, Marcus Di Rollo
Scottish Club Champions :
1891/92, 1892/93, 1893/94, 1894/95, 1896/97, 1902/03, 1908/09, 1909/10, 1910/11, 1911/12, 1913/14, 1920/21, 1934/35, 1936/37, 1969/70, 1997/98
Division 2 Champions :
1990/91, 2002/03
Scottish Cup Winners :
2006
In 1876, Watsonians adopted the maroon & white colours it wears today and two years' later the Club moved to Myreside, named after a local farm. In 1877 the Club became a member of the Scottish Football Union (the SRU from 1924). Watsonians won their first Scottish Club Championship in season 1891/92, but their greatest period of dominance came between 1908 and 1914 when they won the championship a further five times. The team of 1909/10 (pictured right) was undefeated against Scottish opposition during that season.
On 4 March 1933, Watsonians opened their current home at New Myreside with a victory over Royal High School FP. The Championship arrived at the new home in two of the next three seasons, but the Club had to wait 33 years for the next success in season 1969/70.
In season 1973/74 the National League was introduced and Watsonians were placed in Division 1, a position the club has maintained for 24 of the 26 seasons played. It speaks volumes for the spirit at Myreside that as a closed club Watsonians managed to preserve their standing in the higher echelons for many years.
The Club relaxed their membership rules after relegation in 1989 and returned to the top level by going undefeated to win the Division II championship in 1990/91. Since their return to Division 1 Watsonians has regularly challenged for honours before regaining that elusive Scottish Championship again in season 1997/98.
in 1884. Since then Watsonians has fielded no fewer than 62 Scottish internationalists, including 5 Scotland captains and 7 British and Irish Lions
. Watsonians have had key roles in all of Scotland's three Grand Slams to date.
In 1925 Watsonians forward A.C. Gillies played in 3 international matches and against he scored one try and kicked two conversions and against he converted a try with a superb kick from the touch line to help seal the victory in this game. James Ritchie represented Scotland in the six international matches of 1933 (Triple Crown
) and 1934.
Against England in 1984, centres David Johnston and Euan Kennedy scored both Scotland's tries against France in the final game en-route to Scotland's first Grand Slam since 1925.
Gavin
and Scott Hastings played in every game of Scotland's successful Grand Slam season of 1990. In the never to be forgotten final game against England, Gavin's kick through set up the deciding try for Tony Stanger
and Scott made an outstanding try saving tackle on Tony Underwood
. Gavin went on to captain Scotland and the 1993 British Lions and until recently, Scott was Scotland's most capped player.
Jamie Blackwood has recently returned to the club.
The team is coached by Mark Gifford (former George Watsons P.E. Teacher) and is currently captained by Sarah-Lou Walker.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
club based in Edinburgh and part of the Scottish Rugby Union
Scottish Rugby Union
The Scottish Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in Scotland. It is the second oldest Rugby Union, having been founded in 1873, as the Scottish Football Union.-History:...
. The club is connected with George Watson's College
George Watson's College
George Watson's College, known informally as Watson's, is a co-educational independent day school in Scotland, situated on Colinton Road, in the Merchiston area of Edinburgh. It was first established as a hospital school in 1741, became a day school in 1871 and was merged with its sister school...
as a club for former pupils, but now accepts players who did not attend the school. It is one of a small number of rugby union clubs entitled to call itself a 'football club', rather than a 'rugby football club'.
Squads
Watsonians has four male squads and one ladies team who play in the following leagues:- 1st XV - Scottish Premiership
- 2nd XV - The Scottish 2nd XV LeagueThe Scottish 2nd XV LeagueThe Scottish Reserve League is the largest of the three organisations operating 2nd XV Leagues in Scotland. Originally all 2nd XV rugby union league matches were played under the auspices of the Scottish 2nd XV League, however in recent years a number of breakaways have occurred - clubs in the...
- National Division - 3rd XV - The Scottish 2nd XV LeagueThe Scottish 2nd XV LeagueThe Scottish Reserve League is the largest of the three organisations operating 2nd XV Leagues in Scotland. Originally all 2nd XV rugby union league matches were played under the auspices of the Scottish 2nd XV League, however in recent years a number of breakaways have occurred - clubs in the...
- East Region - 4th XV - Scottish Reserve League - Division 3 East
- Ladies XV - SWRU Premier LeagueSWRU Premier LeagueThe SWRU Premier League is the top national competition for women's rugby union football clubs in Scotland.-External links:*...
1st XV - coached by Marcus Di Rollo.
2nd XV - coached by Javier Palacios.
3rd XV- coached by Johnny Sandlan.
4th XV- Managed by Neil Freshwater.
Club Captain - Brian "Baz" Lawson.
1st XV Captain - Scott Laird, Chris Scott, Marcus Di Rollo
1st XV Team
The 1st XV team enjoyed a successful 2005/2006 season, winning the BT Cup and finishing second in the Scottish Premiership, Division 1.Scottish Club Champions :
1891/92, 1892/93, 1893/94, 1894/95, 1896/97, 1902/03, 1908/09, 1909/10, 1910/11, 1911/12, 1913/14, 1920/21, 1934/35, 1936/37, 1969/70, 1997/98
Division 2 Champions :
1990/91, 2002/03
Scottish Cup Winners :
2006
History - Last 125 Years
The Watsonian Football Club played its first game on 30 January in 1875 against St George that ended in a draw. Right from the beginning the emphasis was on expansive play combined with enjoying rugby football both on and off the field. With this noble aim, Watsonians has evolved and achieved many successes to confirm its place as one of the leading clubs in Scottish Rugby.In 1876, Watsonians adopted the maroon & white colours it wears today and two years' later the Club moved to Myreside, named after a local farm. In 1877 the Club became a member of the Scottish Football Union (the SRU from 1924). Watsonians won their first Scottish Club Championship in season 1891/92, but their greatest period of dominance came between 1908 and 1914 when they won the championship a further five times. The team of 1909/10 (pictured right) was undefeated against Scottish opposition during that season.
On 4 March 1933, Watsonians opened their current home at New Myreside with a victory over Royal High School FP. The Championship arrived at the new home in two of the next three seasons, but the Club had to wait 33 years for the next success in season 1969/70.
In season 1973/74 the National League was introduced and Watsonians were placed in Division 1, a position the club has maintained for 24 of the 26 seasons played. It speaks volumes for the spirit at Myreside that as a closed club Watsonians managed to preserve their standing in the higher echelons for many years.
The Club relaxed their membership rules after relegation in 1989 and returned to the top level by going undefeated to win the Division II championship in 1990/91. Since their return to Division 1 Watsonians has regularly challenged for honours before regaining that elusive Scottish Championship again in season 1997/98.
Notable former players
Watsonian's first cap was John TodJohn Tod
John Tod was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.John Tod was born in Hartford, Connecticut. He attended the common schools and Yale College. He moved to Bedford, Pennsylvania, in 1800, and taught school while studying law. He was admitted to the bar in 1803 and...
in 1884. Since then Watsonians has fielded no fewer than 62 Scottish internationalists, including 5 Scotland captains and 7 British and Irish Lions
British and Irish Lions
The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...
. Watsonians have had key roles in all of Scotland's three Grand Slams to date.
In 1925 Watsonians forward A.C. Gillies played in 3 international matches and against he scored one try and kicked two conversions and against he converted a try with a superb kick from the touch line to help seal the victory in this game. James Ritchie represented Scotland in the six international matches of 1933 (Triple Crown
Triple Crown (Rugby Union)
In rugby union, the Triple Crown is an honour contested annually by the four national teams of the British Isles who compete within the larger Six Nations Championship: England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. If any one team manages to win all their games against the other three they win the...
) and 1934.
Against England in 1984, centres David Johnston and Euan Kennedy scored both Scotland's tries against France in the final game en-route to Scotland's first Grand Slam since 1925.
Gavin
Gavin Hastings
Andrew Gavin Hastings, OBE is a former Scotland rugby union player. He is frequently considered one of the best, if not the best, rugby player to come out of Scotland. His nickname is "Big Gav".Hastings was born in Edinburgh...
and Scott Hastings played in every game of Scotland's successful Grand Slam season of 1990. In the never to be forgotten final game against England, Gavin's kick through set up the deciding try for Tony Stanger
Tony Stanger
Anthony George Stanger is a former Scottish international rugby union player, and is Scotland's joint record try scorer....
and Scott made an outstanding try saving tackle on Tony Underwood
Tony Underwood
Tony Underwood is a former English rugby union footballer who played as a wing three-quarter back. He is of Chinese-English parentage....
. Gavin went on to captain Scotland and the 1993 British Lions and until recently, Scott was Scotland's most capped player.
Jamie Blackwood has recently returned to the club.
- John TodJohn TodJohn Tod was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.John Tod was born in Hartford, Connecticut. He attended the common schools and Yale College. He moved to Bedford, Pennsylvania, in 1800, and taught school while studying law. He was admitted to the bar in 1803 and...
. - A.C. Gillies, 12 caps.
- JM Ritchie.
- David Johnston
- Euan Kennedy
- Gavin HastingsGavin HastingsAndrew Gavin Hastings, OBE is a former Scotland rugby union player. He is frequently considered one of the best, if not the best, rugby player to come out of Scotland. His nickname is "Big Gav".Hastings was born in Edinburgh...
- Scott Hastings
- Tom Smith
- Jason White
- Stuart GrimesStuart GrimesStuart Brian Grimes is a former Scottish rugby player and captain. Grimes' previous clubs include Padova, Border Reivers, Newcastle Falcons, Caledonia Reds, Watsonians, Edinburgh University, Robert Gordon's College. He was previously Newcastle Falcons forwards coach...
- Eric MilroyEric MilroyEric "Puss" MacLeod Milroy was a Scottish rugby union player who played club rugby for Watsonians and international rugby for ....
, 12 caps. - H.O. Smith, 11 caps
- D.M. Bertram, 11 caps.
- Alex AngusAlex AngusAlexander "Alex" W. Angus was a Scottish international rugby union and cricket player.He was capped twice for between 1909-20. He also played for Watsonians....
, 18 caps. also played for Scotland national cricket team. - C. McCallum, 26 caps.
- George Roberts (rugby union)George Roberts (rugby union)George Roberts was a Scottish international rugby union player, who was killed in World War II at Kanchanaburi in Thailand.He was capped five times for between 1938-39. He also played for Watsonians RFC....
- Marcus Di Rollo (rugby union) 21 caps
- Kyle TraynorKyle TraynorKyle Traynor is a Scottish rugby union player who plays at prop for Edinburgh and Scotland.-Biography:Traynor was born in Farnborough, London to Glaswegian parents and was educated at The John Fisher School...
, 3 caps.
Scotland 7s Internationalist Section
- Andrew Skeen
- Michael Fedo
- Stuart McInally
- Jamie Blackwood
- Craig Sorbie
Women's Section
Watsonians also has a women's team which play in Premier 1 of the Scottish Rugby's Women's League. Formed in 2001 by a number of players from different clubs around the city, the team has played in Premier league for the past seven years.The team is coached by Mark Gifford (former George Watsons P.E. Teacher) and is currently captained by Sarah-Lou Walker.
See also
- Scottish Premiership
- The Scottish 2nd XV LeagueThe Scottish 2nd XV LeagueThe Scottish Reserve League is the largest of the three organisations operating 2nd XV Leagues in Scotland. Originally all 2nd XV rugby union league matches were played under the auspices of the Scottish 2nd XV League, however in recent years a number of breakaways have occurred - clubs in the...
- East of Scotland 3rd XV LeagueEast of Scotland 3rd XV LeagueThe East of Scotland 3rd XV League was a Scottish-based amateur rugby union league founded in 2000. It was first known as the Turnup League, but assumed its current title at the beginning of the 2001/02 season....
- Rugby union in ScotlandRugby union in ScotlandRugby union is a popular team sport in Scotland. The national side today competes in the annual Six Nations Championship and the Rugby World Cup. The first ever international rugby match was played on March 27, 1871, at Raeburn Place in Edinburgh, when Scotland defeated England in front of 4,000...