What made the Scots’ performance all the more creditable was the age profile of the development squad, almost three quarters of whom are under-17 and who should form the basis of next season’s Scotland under-18 team.

In all the young Scotland side ran in ten tries in a display of powerful forward play complemented by slick work by the backs. Outstanding for Scotland last night were the Glasgow Academy scrum half Andrew Simmers, the Currie flanker Tom Gordon and the St Aloysius hooker Michael Scott.

There were eye-catching displays too from replacement scrum half Gary Munro of Jed Thistle, Hawick Wanderers’ centre Sean Chapman and number 8 Scott McGinley of Edinburgh Academy.

“There was a lot of quality rugby played tonight” said the Scotland under-18 head coach, Eddie Pollock, adding : “We played a speed, our passing was good and there was some excellent work in the contact area . Overall it show we are now developing more players for this level of rugby.”

Scotland had the game won by half time when they led 31-0, Strathallan stand-off Josh Henderson having opened the scoring with a try, followed by touchdowns from Royal High winger Ross McCann, Strathallan centre Mark New(2)…………… continues on Herald Scotland