Scotland under 19 coach, Colin Robertson, has chosen Alloa’s Grant Gilchrist to lead the 26 man squad to face Italy at Lasswade next Sunday (1 March).

He made the decision after being impressed by the 18 year old lock’s contribution to Stirling County this season.
 
Said Robertson: “Grant has been well established at both under 17 and under 18 level.  He has played just about every game for Stirling County this season and has done very well.
 
“He is well respected and is a good player.  He has shown a lot of composure and will be able to lead this squad and I think will do very well for us.”
 
Gilchrist, an apprentice chemical engineer at BP and Forth Valley College student, has never been a captain before but is relishing the opportunity.
 
“I played Scotland under 18s last year but not as captain,” said Gilchrist, who was a member of the Scottish under 18 team that beat Italy a year ago. “I’m really delighted; it’s a real privilege and a big step up for me.”
 
At the start of this season Gilchrist was inducted into the Caledonia Academy and Central Scotland Institute of Sport.  The Academy provides technical and tactical expertise, whilst the Central Institute offers the support of the network’s expert teams working together to deliver essential support services locally in sports medicine, sports science and strength and conditioning.
 
“To play at the best level in rugby you need to be strong and with the Central Institute you get the best of Strength & Conditioning and one to one training sessions every week, which is great for development,” he said. 
 
“And there’s additional support like physiotherapy and psychology which are a big benefit.”
 
Added Robertson:  “Grant has had a good year playing regularly for Stirling County each week.  He is a big athlete who has played and trained consistently well through the National age group teams during the past few years.
 
“As a CSIS Academy player benefitting regularly from all support services which has aided his progress. He is keen to do well, a really dedicated individual who will lead through performance.”