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{{short description|Scottish rugby union club, based in Edinburgh}}
{{Infobox rugby team
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
| teamname = Watsonian Football Club
{{Use British English|date=April 2017}}
| image = Watsonians_Crest.jpg
{{Infobox rugby team
| imagesize = 90px
| union = [[Scottish Rugby Union]]
| teamname = Watsonian
| fullname = Watsonian Football Club
| image = Watsonian fc logo.png
| imagesize = 150
| location = [[Edinburgh]], [[Scotland]]
| union = [[Scottish Rugby Union|SRU]]
| countryflag = Scotland
| founded = 1875
| fullname = Watsonian Football Club
| location = [[Edinburgh]], [[Scotland]]
| region =
| ground = [[New Myreside]]
| founded = {{Start date and age|1875}}
| capacity =
| region =
| ground = [[Myreside Stadium|New Myreside]]
| chairman =
| capacity = 5,500<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38643330 |title=Edinburgh: Myreside 'can be better than Glasgow's Scotstoun' - Andy Irvine |first=Jane |last=Lewis |work=BBC Sport |date=16 January 2017 |access-date=22 January 2017}}</ref>
| chairman =
| ceo =
| ceo =
| president = {{flagicon|Scotland}} Keith Watters (2014-16)
| president = Richard Kelly
| captain = Tristan Cumming
| vice president = {{flagicon|Scotland}} Alistair Wright
| coach = Stevie Scott (Head Coach, Super Series)<br />
| captain = Ross Aitken
Jason Riley (Head Coach, Men’s Club XV)<br /> Bruce Millar (Head Coach, Women’s 1XV)
| coach = {{flagicon|Scotland}} Marcus Di Rollo (head)
| top scorer = {{flagicon|Scotland}} Gavin Hastings (1203)
| top scorer (men’s) = Gavin Hastings (1203)
| caps = {{flagicon|Scotland}} Mark Watters (348)
| caps = Mark Watters (348)
| url = www.watsoniansrugby.com
| url = https://watsoniansrugby.com/
| league = {{Scottish rugby updater|Watsonian}}
| league = [http://scottishrugby.org/fixtures-results/?competition=107371&#124;BT National League Division 1]
| season = 2005–06
| season = {{Scottish rugby updater|Watsonian2}}
| position = 2nd
| position = {{Scottish rugby updater|Watsonian3}}
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}}
'''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'.
'''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, and changed its policy in the 1980s to be a fully open club, welcoming players of all abilities regardless of whether they attended the school or not. It is one of a small number of rugby union clubs entitled to call itself a 'football club', rather than a 'rugby football club'. Watsonians run a number of sides; the top male side plays in the FOSROC Super Series tournament, the Women's side plays in the Tennents Scottish Women's Premiership [[Womens Rugby Union Scotland|Scottish Rugby's Women's League]]

==History==
The Watsonian Football Club played its first game on 30 January 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 Unofficial 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.

==Current squad==

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left; font-size:90%; width:70%"
|-
! colspan="100%" | 2023 Watsonians Super Series squad
|- valign="top"
|
'''Forwards'''
* {{flagicon|GER}} Luis Ball
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Tom Banatvala
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Jamie Berrisford
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Seb Cecil
* {{flagicon|NZL}} Harrison Courtney
* {{flagicon|RSA}} Craig Davidson
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Cal Davies
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Robbie Deans
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Finn Duraj
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Ross Graham
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Patrick Harrison
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Neil Irvine-Hess
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Karl Main
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Jonny Morris
* {{flagicon|RSA}} Kaid O'Neill
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Gregor Scougall
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Kieran Watt
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Campbell Wilson
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Mark Wilson
||
'''Backs'''
* {{flagicon|RSA}} [[Jason Baggott]]
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Lewis Berg
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Jack Brown
* {{flagicon|ZAF}} Dominic Coetzer
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Angus Guthrie
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Scott King
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Lomond Macpherson
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Murdo McAndrew
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Ross McKnight
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Lee Millar ([[Captain (sports)|c]])
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Harry Paterson
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Hector Patterson
* {{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} George Pringle
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Murray Scott
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Findlay Thomson
|-
| colspan="100%" style="text-align:center;" | ([[Captain (sports)|c]]) denotes the team captain, '''Bold''' denotes internationally capped players. <br /> <sup>*</sup> denotes players qualified to play for Scotland on residency or dual nationality.
|}

{{2023–24 Super Series league table}}


==Squads==
==Squads==
Line 36: Line 103:
Watsonians has four male squads and one ladies team who play in the following leagues:
Watsonians has four male squads and one ladies team who play in the following leagues:


* Super Series – FOSROC Super Series
* 1st XV - National League Division 1
* 2nd XV - Reserve League National 1
* 1st XV - [[Scottish Premiership|Tennent's Scottish National League 1]]
* 3rd XV - Reserve League East 2
* 2nd XV – [[Scottish Reserve League|Reserve League National 1]]
* 4th XV - Reserve League East 3
* 3rd XV – [[Scottish Reserve League|Reserve League East 2]]
* Ladies XV - Women's National League Division 1
* Ladies XV – [[Womens Rugby Union Scotland|Women's Premiership]]


1st XV - coached by Marcus Di Rollo.
1st XV – coached by Jason Riley
2nd XV - coached by Euan Robertson.
2nd XV – coached by Sam Rowlands.
3rd XV- coached by Johnny Sandlan.
3rd XV – coached by Johnny Sandlan.


Club Captain - Chris Hunter
Club Captain – Emily Cotterill.
1st XV Captain - Ross Aitken
Vice Captain - Jamie Hodgson.
Vice Captain - Rory Hutton.


===1st XV Team===
===1st XV Team===


The 1st XV team enjoyed a successful 2005/2006 season, winning the BT Cup and finishing second in the [[Scottish Premiership (rugby)|Scottish Premiership]], Division 1. In 2012/13 season the club narrowly failed to return to the Premiership, finishing 3rd in the National League. In the most recent 2014/15 season they came 4th. The coaching team is lead by ex-Scotland player [[Marcus Di Rollo]].
The 1st XV team enjoyed a successful 2005–06 season, winning the BT Cup and finishing second in the [[Scottish Premiership (rugby)|Scottish Premiership]], Division 1. In 2012–13 season the club narrowly failed to return to the Premiership, finishing 3rd in the National League. In the most recent 2014–15 season they came 4th. The coaching team is led by ex-Scotland player [[Marcus Di Rollo]].


Scottish Club Champions :
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
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 :
Division 2 Champions :
1990–91, 2002–03
1990/91, 2002/03


Scottish Cup Winners :
Scottish Cup Winners :
Line 63: Line 131:


=== Ladies's Section ===
=== Ladies's Section ===
[http://sites.google.com/site/watsonianswomens/ Watsonians] also has a women's team which play in National League Division 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 played in Premier league for seven years before being relegated in 2013/14.
[http://sites.google.com/site/watsonianswomens/ Watsonians] also has a [[Watsonians Ladies Rugby|women's team]] which play in the Premiership of the [[Womens Rugby Union Scotland|Scottish Rugby's Women's League]]. The ladies section was formed in 2001 by a number of players from different clubs around the city.


The team are a 40 strong squad of female athletes and in the 2019/20 season are competing in the Scottish Women's Premier League for the third year in a row. They have achieved increasing success over the last few years, culminating in finishing second in the league and going on to play and win the National Sarah Beaney Cup Final on the main pitch at BT Murrayfield stadium in April 2019. This match formed part of the well-attended Scottish Rugby Silver Saturday showpiece event and represented the highest level of women's club rugby in the country; furthermore, this final was the first Scottish women's club game to be streamed live on BBC Alba.
The team is coached by Tristan Gray (former coach of Premiership side RHC Cougars) and is currently captained by Emily Cotterill.


The team is coached by Freddie Main, supported by Scott Nightingale, Lucy Brown and Duncan Wilson and is currently captained by Rachel Bragg.
==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==
==Notable former players==
Watsonian's first {{nrut|Scotland}} cap was [[John Tod]] in 1884.<ref name=Encycl>''Encyclopedia of Rugby Union Football'', p169</ref> 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.
Watsonian's first {{nrut|Scotland}} cap was [[John Tod]] in 1884.<ref name=Encycl>''Encyclopedia of Rugby Union Football'', p169</ref> Since then Watsonians has fielded no fewer than 62 Scottish internationalists, including five Scotland captains and seven [[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]]<ref name=Encycl/> played in 3 international matches and against {{nrut|France}} he scored one try and kicked two conversions and against {{nrut|England}} he converted a try with a superb kick from the touch line to help seal the victory in this game. [[James Ritchie (rugby union)|James Ritchie]] represented Scotland in the six international matches of 1933 ([[Triple Crown (rugby union)|Triple Crown]]) and 1934.<ref name=Encycl/>
In 1925 Watsonians forward [[A.C. Gillies]]<ref name=Encycl/> played in three international matches and against {{nrut|France}} he scored one try and kicked two conversions and against {{nrut|England}} he converted a try with a superb kick from the touch line to help seal the victory in this game. [[James Ritchie (rugby union)|James Ritchie]] represented Scotland in the six international matches of 1933 ([[Triple Crown (rugby union)|Triple Crown]]) and 1934.<ref name=Encycl/>


Against England in 1984, centres [[David Johnston (rugby union)|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.
Against England in 1984, centres [[David Johnston (rugby union, born 1958)|David Johnston]] and [[Euan Kennedy]] scored both Scotland's tries en route to Scotland's first Grand Slam since 1925.


[[Gavin Hastings|Gavin]] and [[Scott Hastings (rugby union)|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.
[[Gavin Hastings|Gavin]] and [[Scott Hastings (rugby union)|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 [[Rory Underwood]]. Gavin went on to captain Scotland and the [[1993 British Lions]] and until recently, Scott was Scotland's most capped player.


==List of Watsonian Scotland Caps==
==List of Watsonian Scotland Caps==
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[John Tod]]
* [[Alex Angus]], 18 caps.<ref name=Encycl/> also played for [[Scotland national cricket team]].
* [[David Bertram]], 11 caps.<ref name=Encycl/>
* [[Jimmy Carmichael (rugby union )|Jimmy Carmichael]]
* [[John Dallas]]
* [[David Deas (rugby union)|David Deas]]
* [[Marcus Di Rollo]] 21 caps
* [[Robert Finlay (rugby union)|Robert Finlay]]
* [[A.C. Gillies]], 12 caps.<ref name=Encycl/>
* [[A.C. Gillies]], 12 caps.<ref name=Encycl/>
* [[Stuart Grimes]]
* [[James Ritchie (rugby union)|JM Ritchie]].<ref name=Encycl/>
* [[Gavin Hastings]] [[British & Irish Lions]]
* [[David Johnston (rugby union)|David Johnston]]
* [[Scott Hastings (rugby union)|Scott Hastings]] [[British & Irish Lions]]
* [[David Johnston (rugby union, born 1958)|David Johnston]]
* [[RF Kelly]] [[British & Irish Lions]]
* [[Euan Kennedy]]
* [[Euan Kennedy]]
* [[Gavin Hastings]]
* [[Iain Lambie]]
* [[Herbert Leggatt]]
* [[Scott Hastings (rugby union)|Scott Hastings]]
* [[John MacCallum]], 26 caps.<ref name=Encycl/>
* [[Tom Smith (rugby union player born 1971)|Tom Smith]]
* Grant McKelvey
* [[Jason White (rugby union)|Jason White]]
* [[Stuart Grimes]]
* [[John Howard Wilson]]
* [[Eric Milroy]], 12 caps.<ref name=Encycl/>
* [[Eric Milroy]], 12 caps.<ref name=Encycl/>
* [[Norman Munnoch]]
* [[James Ritchie (rugby union)|JM Ritchie]].<ref name=Encycl/>
* [[George Roberts (rugby union)|George Roberts]]
* [[Alec Robertson (rugby union)|Alec Robertson]]
* [[Graham Ross (rugby union)|Graham Ross]]
* [[Donald Scott (rugby union)|Donald Scott]]
* [[John Simson (rugby union)|John Simson]]
* [[H.O. Smith]], 11 caps<ref name=Encycl/>
* [[H.O. Smith]], 11 caps<ref name=Encycl/>
* [[Tom Smith (rugby union, born 1971)|Tom Smith]]
* [[D.M. Bertram]], 11 caps.<ref name=Encycl/>
* [[Louis Moritz Speirs]]
* [[Alex Angus]], 18 caps.<ref name=Encycl/> also played for [[Scotland national cricket team]].
* [[John Tod]]
* [[C. McCallum]], 26 caps.<ref name=Encycl/>
* [[Kyle Traynor]], 3 caps.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotlandrugbyteam.org/content/view/597/86/|title=Kyle Traynor|publisher=[[Scottish Rugby Union]]|access-date=11 March 2010}}</ref>
* [[George Roberts (rugby union)]]
* [[Marcus Di Rollo (rugby union) 21 caps]]
* [[Jason White (rugby union)|Jason White]] [[British & Irish Lions]]
* [[Hugh Wright (rugby union)|Hugh Wright]]
* [[Kyle Traynor]], 3 caps.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotlandrugbyteam.org/content/view/597/86/|title=Kyle Traynor|publisher=[[Scottish Rugby Union]]|accessdate=11 March 2010}}</ref>
* [[John Howard Wilson]]
* [[Robert Young (rugby union)|Robert Young]]
{{div col end}}


==Scotland 7s Internationalist Section==
==Scotland 7s Internationalist Section==
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}

* Jack Ferguson
* Andrew Skeen
* Andrew Skeen
* Michael Fedo
* Michael Fedo
* Stuart McInally
* Stuart McInally
* Jamie Blackwood
* Jamie Blackwood
* Craig Sorbie
* Craig Sorbie
* Nick Penny
* Megan Gaffney
* Bryony Nelson
* Hannah Smith
* Lana Skeldon
* Andrew Turnbull
{{div col end}}


==See also==
==Honours==
* [[Rugby union in Scotland]]
* [[Melrose Sevens]]
** Champions (11): 1905, 1906, 1907, 1914, 1926, 1935, 1936, 1945, 1976, 1996, 2018
* [[Scottish National League (rugby union)|Scottish National League]]
* [[Langholm Sevens]]
* [[The Scottish 2nd XV League]]
** Champions (3): 2016, 2018, 2019

* [[Hawick Sevens]]
==External links==
** Champions (4): 1906, 1950, 2004, 2018
*[http://www.watsoniansrugby.com/ Official site]
* [[Gala Sevens]]
** Champions (7): 1905, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2005, 2016, 2017
* [[Berwick Sevens]]
** Champions (5): 2007, 2009, 2013, 2018, 2019
* [[Jed-Forest Sevens]]
** Champions (8): 1905, 1906, 1956, 1963, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2017
* [[Peebles Sevens]]
** Champions (13): 1936, 1937, 1939, 1952, 1955, 1956, 1972, 1999, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2017
* [[Earlston Sevens]]
** Champions (4): 2005, 2008, 2009, 2019
*FOSROC Super 6
**Champions: 2022
*FOSROC Super 6 Sprint Series
**Champions: 2022
* [[Kelso Sevens]]
** Champions (4): 2012, 2013, 2017, 2019
* [[Kings of the Sevens]]
** Champions (4): 2009, 2017, 2018, 2019
*[[Walkerburn Sevens]]
** Champions (4): 1939, 1940, 1941, 1959
* Morningside Sevens<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scottishsevens.sport.blog/morningside-sevens/|title = Morningside Sevens|date = 14 July 2019}}</ref>
** Champions: 1903
* [[Edinburgh Northern Sevens]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://scottishsevens.sport.blog/inverleith-sevens/ | title=Edinburgh Northern Sevens | date=7 June 2019 }}</ref>
** Champions (3): 2000, 2017, 2018


==References==
==References==
* Bath, Richard (ed.) ''The Scotland Rugby Miscellany'' (Vision Sports Publishing Ltd, 2007 ISBN 1-905326-24-6)
* Bath, Richard (ed.) ''The Scotland Rugby Miscellany'' (Vision Sports Publishing Ltd, 2007 {{ISBN|1-905326-24-6}})
* Godwin, Terry ''Complete Who's Who of International Rugby'' (Cassell, 1987, ISBN 0-7137-1838-2)
* Godwin, Terry ''Complete Who's Who of International Rugby'' (Cassell, 1987, {{ISBN|0-7137-1838-2}})
* Jones, J.R. ''Encyclopedia of Rugby Union Football'' (Robert Hale, London, 1976 ISBN 0-7091-5394-5)
* Jones, J.R. ''Encyclopedia of Rugby Union Football'' (Robert Hale, London, 1976 {{ISBN|0-7091-5394-5}})
* Massie, Allan ''A Portrait of Scottish Rugby'' (Polygon, Edinburgh; ISBN 0-904919-84-6)
* Massie, Allan ''A Portrait of Scottish Rugby'' (Polygon, Edinburgh; {{ISBN|0-904919-84-6}})
<references/>
<references/>


==External links==
* {{official website}}

{{SRU premiership}}
{{Rugby union in Edinburgh}}
{{Rugby union in Edinburgh}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Watsonians Rfc}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Watsonians Rfc}}
[[Category:Scottish rugby union teams]]
[[Category:Rugby clubs established in 1875]]
[[Category:1875 establishments in Scotland]]
[[Category:Rugby union teams in Scotland]]
[[Category:Rugby union in Edinburgh]]
[[Category:Rugby union in Edinburgh]]
[[Category:Sports teams in Edinburgh]]
[[Category:Sports clubs and teams in Edinburgh]]

Latest revision as of 00:21, 18 November 2023

Watsonian
Full nameWatsonian Football Club
UnionSRU
Founded1875; 149 years ago (1875)
LocationEdinburgh, Scotland
Ground(s)New Myreside (Capacity: 5,500[1])
PresidentRichard Kelly
Coach(es)Stevie Scott (Head Coach, Super Series)
Jason Riley (Head Coach, Men’s Club XV)
Bruce Millar (Head Coach, Women’s 1XV)
Captain(s)Tristan Cumming
Most capsMark Watters (348)
League(s)Super 6
2021–22Super 6, 3rd of 6 (3rd in Playoff)
Team kit
Official website
watsoniansrugby.com

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, and changed its policy in the 1980s to be a fully open club, welcoming players of all abilities regardless of whether they attended the school or not. It is one of a small number of rugby union clubs entitled to call itself a 'football club', rather than a 'rugby football club'. Watsonians run a number of sides; the top male side plays in the FOSROC Super Series tournament, the Women's side plays in the Tennents Scottish Women's Premiership Scottish Rugby's Women's League

History[edit]

The Watsonian Football Club played its first game on 30 January 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 Unofficial 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.

Current squad[edit]

2023 Watsonians Super Series squad

Forwards

  • Germany Luis Ball
  • Scotland Tom Banatvala
  • Scotland Jamie Berrisford
  • Scotland Seb Cecil
  • New Zealand Harrison Courtney
  • South Africa Craig Davidson
  • Scotland Cal Davies
  • Scotland Robbie Deans
  • Scotland Finn Duraj
  • Scotland Ross Graham
  • Scotland Patrick Harrison
  • Scotland Neil Irvine-Hess
  • Scotland Karl Main
  • Scotland Jonny Morris
  • South Africa Kaid O'Neill
  • Scotland Gregor Scougall
  • Scotland Kieran Watt
  • Scotland Campbell Wilson
  • Scotland Mark Wilson

Backs

  • South Africa Jason Baggott
  • Scotland Lewis Berg
  • Scotland Jack Brown
  • South Africa Dominic Coetzer
  • Scotland Angus Guthrie
  • Scotland Scott King
  • Scotland Lomond Macpherson
  • Scotland Murdo McAndrew
  • Scotland Ross McKnight
  • Scotland Lee Millar (c)
  • Scotland Harry Paterson
  • Scotland Hector Patterson
  • Ireland George Pringle
  • Scotland Murray Scott
  • Scotland Findlay Thomson
(c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players.
* denotes players qualified to play for Scotland on residency or dual nationality.
2023–24 Super Series Table view · watch · edit · discuss
Team P W D L PF PA PD TBP LBP PTS
1 Heriot's Rugby 12 10 1 1 478 238 +240 10 0 52
2 Ayrshire Bulls (RU) 12 9 0 3 372 211 +151 8 0 47
3 Watsonians 12 9 0 3 265 231 +34 2 0 40
4 Stirling Wolves (CH) 12 6 0 6 422 286 +136 3 2 33
5 Southern Knights 12 4 1 7 282 369 -87 2 1 27
6 Boroughmuir Bears 12 3 0 9 252 389 -137 1 0 17
7 Future XV 12 0 0 12 206 543 -337 0 3 3

Yellow background indicates qualification for the final.
Green background indicates semi-finalists.

(CH) Champions. (RU) Runners-up.

Squads[edit]

Watsonians has four male squads and one ladies team who play in the following leagues:

1st XV – coached by Jason Riley 2nd XV – coached by Sam Rowlands. 3rd XV – coached by Johnny Sandlan.

Club Captain – Emily Cotterill. Vice Captain - Jamie Hodgson. Vice Captain - Rory Hutton.

1st XV Team[edit]

The 1st XV team enjoyed a successful 2005–06 season, winning the BT Cup and finishing second in the Scottish Premiership, Division 1. In 2012–13 season the club narrowly failed to return to the Premiership, finishing 3rd in the National League. In the most recent 2014–15 season they came 4th. The coaching team is led by ex-Scotland player 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

Ladies's Section[edit]

Watsonians also has a women's team which play in the Premiership of the Scottish Rugby's Women's League. The ladies section was formed in 2001 by a number of players from different clubs around the city.

The team are a 40 strong squad of female athletes and in the 2019/20 season are competing in the Scottish Women's Premier League for the third year in a row. They have achieved increasing success over the last few years, culminating in finishing second in the league and going on to play and win the National Sarah Beaney Cup Final on the main pitch at BT Murrayfield stadium in April 2019. This match formed part of the well-attended Scottish Rugby Silver Saturday showpiece event and represented the highest level of women's club rugby in the country; furthermore, this final was the first Scottish women's club game to be streamed live on BBC Alba.

The team is coached by Freddie Main, supported by Scott Nightingale, Lucy Brown and Duncan Wilson and is currently captained by Rachel Bragg.

Notable former players[edit]

Watsonian's first Scotland cap was John Tod in 1884.[2] Since then Watsonians has fielded no fewer than 62 Scottish internationalists, including five Scotland captains and seven 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[2] played in three international matches and against France he scored one try and kicked two conversions and against England 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.[2]

Against England in 1984, centres David Johnston and Euan Kennedy scored both Scotland's tries 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 Rory Underwood. Gavin went on to captain Scotland and the 1993 British Lions and until recently, Scott was Scotland's most capped player.

List of Watsonian Scotland Caps[edit]

Scotland 7s Internationalist Section[edit]

  • Jack Ferguson
  • Andrew Skeen
  • Michael Fedo
  • Stuart McInally
  • Jamie Blackwood
  • Craig Sorbie
  • Nick Penny
  • Megan Gaffney
  • Bryony Nelson
  • Hannah Smith
  • Lana Skeldon
  • Andrew Turnbull

Honours[edit]

References[edit]

  • Bath, Richard (ed.) The Scotland Rugby Miscellany (Vision Sports Publishing Ltd, 2007 ISBN 1-905326-24-6)
  • Godwin, Terry Complete Who's Who of International Rugby (Cassell, 1987, ISBN 0-7137-1838-2)
  • Jones, J.R. Encyclopedia of Rugby Union Football (Robert Hale, London, 1976 ISBN 0-7091-5394-5)
  • Massie, Allan A Portrait of Scottish Rugby (Polygon, Edinburgh; ISBN 0-904919-84-6)
  1. ^ Lewis, Jane (16 January 2017). "Edinburgh: Myreside 'can be better than Glasgow's Scotstoun' - Andy Irvine". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Encyclopedia of Rugby Union Football, p169
  3. ^ "Kyle Traynor". Scottish Rugby Union. Retrieved 11 March 2010.
  4. ^ "Morningside Sevens". 14 July 2019.
  5. ^ "Edinburgh Northern Sevens". 7 June 2019.

External links[edit]

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