Edinburgh District (rugby union)

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Edinburgh District
Founded1872; 152 years ago (1872)
LocationEdinburgh, Scotland
Coach(es)Bob McKillop
Captain(s)Rhys Davies
League(s)Scottish Inter-District Championship
2022-234th
Team kit
Current season

Edinburgh District is a Scottish amateur rugby union team which plays in the amateur Scottish Inter-District Championship. Its draws its players mainly from the Edinburgh area, as well as others from the rest of east central Scotland; roughly corresponding to the old Lothian regional council area. Historically the Edinburgh District team played matches against touring teams visiting Scotland from abroad, and also competed in the Scottish Inter-District Championship.

The Edinburgh District rugby union team was founded in 1872. The team played the world's first inter-district match that year against Glasgow District rugby union team.

The amateur Edinburgh District side evolved into the professional Edinburgh Rugby side in 1996; one year after rugby union allowed professionalism in 1995. However the amateur district is still used for the representation of amateur players in the Inter-District Championship; and this amateur championship guides the selection of Scotland Club XV international players.

In 2022 the Inter-District Championship was reintroduced. The Edinburgh District competed in the tournament, playing in fixtures against the South of Scotland, and Glasgow and the West.

Formation

The Edinburgh District side was formed in 1872 to play against a Glasgow District side.

Main article: Scottish District rugby structure

The teams met on 23 November 1872 at Burnbank Park and Edinburgh won 1 drop goal – 0 in a 20-a-side fixture. This is the oldest inter-district match in the world and to mark this the current Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby sides play for the 1872 Cup every year.

The first Edinburgh team in 1872:[1]

 Backs:  A. Ross (Wanderers), J. Patullo (Craigmount), Thomas Roger Marshall (Edinburgh Academicals), W. St. Clair Grant (Craigmount), J. Junor (Royal High School), James Andrew Whitelock Mein (Edinburgh Academicals), and E. Thew (Merchistonians)
 Forwards: 

John Lisle Hall MacFarlane (Edinburgh University), Tom Whittington (Merchistonians), Benjamin Blyth II
(Merchistonians), J. Forsyth and A. R. Stewart (Wanderers)

Selection of representative players

Often to aid the selection process of Edinburgh District's players a trial match was played.

In Edinburgh's case a trial match of hopefuls were divided into Stripes and Plain teams, so the players could impress the selectors.[2]

Early history

The Glasgow v Edinburgh district fixture was more or less played annually. The first 15 a side match was played in 1876. Edinburgh won the first fixtures and it wasn't until 1881 that Glasgow won at the thirteenth attempt. Glasgow then held dominance until 1887 when once more Edinburgh won again. From the 1880s to the close of the 1890s Edinburgh won a total of only four times in 20-years. The tide turned back in Edinburgh's favour in 1898. With only a solitary Glasgow win in 1905, Edinburgh held sway until 1914.[3]

The games were postponed during the First World War period. After 50-years at Burnbank - the West of Scotland ground in Woodlands, Glasgow – the Glasgow v Edinburgh fixture moved to Glasgow Academical's ground at Anniesland, Glasgow, in 1922. This move prompted yet another shift in balance as Glasgow once again became the dominant force of the two districts.

Squad

Squad vs South of Scotland on Wednesday 9th May 2023 (lost 50-17) at the Netherdale, Galashiels.

  1. Cole Imrie (Edinburgh Accies)
  2. Ryan Stewart (Currie)
  3. Graeme Carson (Currie)
  4. Jamie Sword (Stewart’s Melville)
  5. Ali McCallum (Currie)
  6. Finlay Simpson (Edinburgh Accies)
  7. Rhys Davies CAPTAIN (Currie)
  8. Ruari Campbell (Edinburgh Accies)
  9. Aaron Porteous (Stewart’s Melville)
  10. Jamie Loomes (Edinburgh Accies)
  11. Lewis Wells (Edinburgh Accies)
  12. Greg Cannie (Currie)
  13. Neil Armstrong (Edinburgh Accies)
  14. Iain Sim (Currie)
  15. Charlie Brett (Currie)

SUBS (all used)

16. Danny Dineen (Heriots)

17. Chris Anderson (Currie)

18. John Lascelles (Heriots

19. Gregor Nelson (Currie)

20. Ali Johnstone (Heriots)

21. Cameron Lessels (Currie)

22. Ben Heber (Watsonians)

23. Ben Morris (Watsonians)


Squad vs Glasgow on Sunday 21st May 2023 (Lost 22 - 12) at Braidholm.

  1. Chris Anderson (Currie)
  2. Ryan Stewart (Currie)
  3. Graeme Carson (Currie)
  4. Ali Bain (Boroughmuir)
  5. Ali McCallum (Currie)
  6. Rhys Davies CAPTAIN (Currie)
  7. Stu Allison (Watsonians)
  8. Ruari Campbell (Edinburgh Accies)
  9. Sinjin Broad (Edinburgh Accies)
  10. Jamie Loomes (Edinburgh Accies)
  11. Iain Sim (Currie)
  12. Greg Cannie (Currie)
  13. Neil Armstrong (Edinburgh Accies)
  14. Paul Christie (Heriots)
  15. Charlie Brett (Currie)

SUBS (All used)

16. Danny Dineen (Heriots)

17. Cole Imrie (Edinburgh Accies)

18. John Lascelles (Heriots)

19. Malachy Keogh (Heriots)

20. Gregor Nelson (Currie)

21. Cameron Lessels (Currie)

22. Ben Heber (Watsonians)

23. Innes Hill (Heriots)

Scottish Inter-District Championship

Two other Scottish districts

South and North and Midlands
had also been formed and there was regular matches between the four Scottish districts as well as against the touring sides.

The

South and North and Midlands
sides would play off to see which district was best in Scotland. Occasionally London Scottish or an Anglo-Scots team was also invited into this championship.

Main article: Scottish Inter-District Championship

Effect of professionalism

With the advent of professionalism in 1995, the Scottish Rugby Union realised that not even the best semi-professional Scottish club teams could compete in the new Professional Era in rugby union, which was beginning to gain great momentum in the professional leagues of the Southern Hemisphere and the Northern Hemisphere.

In an attempt to stay in touch with the leading nations the

Heineken Cup and in the Celtic League. The amateur Edinburgh District side was to become the professional Edinburgh Rugby
side.

For the subsequent history of the professional Edinburgh rugby district team from 1996, see

Edinburgh rugby
.

Rebirth of the amateur district

Edinburgh District as an amateur district, will return in the 2022–23 Amateur Scottish Inter-District Championship. Its Head Coach will be Bob McKillop, previously a Scotland age-grade coach, aided by assistant coaches Alex Hagart (Stewart’s Melville), Mark Cairns (Currie Chieftains) and Iain Bethinussen (Edinburgh Academical).[4]

McKillop noted:[4]

Having grown up in an era when the Inter-district Championship was something special for players and coaches to be involved in, it is fantastic to see it being revived. It’s a huge privilege to be asked to work with the best coaches and players in the Edinburgh District. We want to create an environment the players fall in love with and go back and tell their club mates how great the experience was. I’m especially looking forward to our game at Netherdale because I know the Borders fans will buy into this and make it a great occasion. I really hope this is the start of the re-emergence of the competition, and that it goes from strength to strength over the next few seasons.

Honours

Season standings

Inter-City

Inter-City No Inter-City played

Glasgow score given first. ᵜ Previous to 1876 only goals counted; tries were ignored in the result.

Scoreline key:

Glasgow win Edinburgh win Draw
Twice a season matches
Season Date Score Report Notes Date Score Report Notes
1872-73 23 Nov 1872 0 - 1dg Report XX a side 15 Jan 1873 0 - 1 gl, 2tr Detail XX a side
1873-74 6 Dec 1873 0 - 0 Report XX a side 24 Jan 1874 0 - 1 tr ᵜ Report XX a side
1874-75 5 Dec 1874 0 - 0 Report XX a side 20 Feb 1875 0 - 0 Report XX a side
1875-76 18 Dec 1875 0 - 0 Report XX a side 29 Jan 1876 0 - 0 Report XV a side
Annual matches
Season Date Score Report Notes
1876-77 2 Dec 1876 0 - 1tr Report XV a side from now on
1877-78 1 Dec 1877 0 - 1dg Report
1878-79 no match; 9 weeks of frost
1879-80 20 Dec 1879 1gl - 1gl Report
1880-81 4 Dec 1880 0 - 1gl, 2 trl Report
1881-82 3 Dec 1881 1gl, 1tr - 1tr Report
1882-83 2 Dec 1882 1gl, 1 tr - 0 Report
1883-84 1 Dec 1883 1tr - 1gl, 2tr Report
1884-85 6 Dec 1884 1gl - 1tr Report
1885-86 5 Dec 1885 1gl, 1tr - 2tr Report Hampden Park
1886-87 4 Dec 1886 1tr - 0 Report
1887-88 3 Dec 1887 0 - 2gl, 3tr Report
1888-89 1 Dec 1888 1gl - 0 Report
1889-90 7 Dec 1889 0 - 1dg Report
1890-91 6 Dec 1890 1gl, 5tr - 2tr Report
1891-92 5 Dec 1891 1dg, 1tr - 1tr Report
1892-93 17 Dec 1892 1gl, 1tr - 3tr Report
1893-94 16 Dec 1893 2gl, 2tr - 0 Report
1894-95 1 Dec 1894 2 gl - 2 tr Report
1895-96 7 Dec 1895 0 - 0 Report
1896-97 5 Dec 1896 1tr - 0 Report
1897-98 4 Dec 1897 1pg, 1tr - 1gl Report
1898-99 3 Dec 1898 1dg, 3tr - 0 Report
1899-1900 2 Dec 1899 1pg - 3tr Report
1900-01 1 Dec 1900 0 - 2gl, 3tr Report
1901-02 7 Dec 1901 0 - 2gl, 2tr Report
1902-03 13 Dec 1902 0 - 0 Report
1903-04 5 Dec 1903 0 - 2gl, 5tr Report
1904-05 3 Dec 1904 1tr - 2tr Report
1905-06 2 Dec 1905 1gl, 2tr - 1tr Report
1906-07 1 Dec 1906 0 - 0 Report
1907-08 7 Dec 1907 0 - 0 Report
1908-09 5 Dec 1908 1gl, 1tr - 1tr Report
1909-10 18 Dec 1909 1gl, 2tr - 2gl, 2tr Report
1910-11 3 Dec 1910 1gl - 4gl, 2tr Report
1911-12 2 Dec 1911 2tr - 3gl, 2tr Report
1912-13 7 Dec 1912 1pg, 1tr - 2gl, 1tr Report
1913-14 6 Dec 1913 1dg - 1dg Report
1914-19 no matches; war years
1919-20 6 Dec 1919 1pg - 2gl, 3tr Report
1920-21 4 Dec 1920 1pg, 1tr - 1gl, 2tr Report
1921-22 3 Dec 1921 1gl, 1tr - 1pg Report
1922-23 2 Dec 1922 1gl, 1tr - 1gl, 4tr Report Old Anniesland
1923-24 1 Dec 1923 1plg - 1plg Report
1924-25 6 Dec 1924 4gl, 3tr - 2tr Report
1925-26 Report Report no match; frost
1926-27 4 Dec 1926 3tr - 3gl, 1p, 1tr Report
1927-28 3 Dec 1927 1p - 1gl, 1tr, 1p Report
1928-29 1 Dec 1928 1g, 1d, 2p, 1tr - 3g, 1t Report
1929-30 7 Dec 1929 1gl, 5tr - 1gl, 1tr Report
1930-31 6 Dec 1930 3tr - 2p Report
1931-32 5 Dec 1931 2tr - 1gl, 1p, 1tr Report
1932-33 3 Dec 1932 1gl, 1tr - 1gl, 4tr Report
1933-34 2 Dec 1933 1gl, 1tr - 1p, 4tr Report
1934-35 1 Dec 1934 1tr - 0 Report
1935-36 7 Dec 1935 4gl, 3tr - 0 Report
1936-37 5 Dec 1936 1gl, 1p, 1tr - 1p Report
1937-38 4 Dec 1937 4gl, 3p - 1p, 1tr Report
1938-39 3 Dec 1938 2p, 1tr - 1dg, 3p, 1tr Report
1939-45 no matches; war years
1945-46 1 Dec 1945 1tr - 5gl,1p, 2tr Report
1946-47 7 Dec 1946 3tr - 4gl, 3tr Report
1947-48 6 Dec 1947 2dg, 1tr - 1gl, 1tr Report
1948-49 4 Dec 1948 2p, 1tr - 1p Report
1949-50 3 Dec 1949 0 - 1gl, 1p Report
1950-51 2 Dec 1950 1gl, 1p, 1tr - 1p Report
1951-52 1 Dec 1951 2tr - 1tr Report
1952-53 13 Dec 1952 1g, 2p, 1t - 2g, 1t Report

Scottish Inter-District Championship

The Inter-City match was then incorporated into the Scottish Inter-District Championship. For Glasgow's professional championship results from 1996 see Glasgow Warriors; for results of later Glasgow - Edinburgh matches see 1872 Cup.

Scottish Inter-District Championship
Season Pos Pld W D L F A +/- BP Pts Notes
1953–54 1st 3 3 0 0 53 18 +35 - 6
1954–55 3rd 3 1 1 1 23 17 +6 - 3
1955–56 2nd 3 1 2 0 30 9 +21 - 4
1956–57 1st= 3 2 0 1 36 28 +8 - 4 Shared with
South
1957–58 1st= 3 2 1 0 42 23 +19 - 5 Shared with
South
1958–59 1st= 3 2 0 1 20 24 -4 - 4 Shared with
South
1959–60 1st= 3 2 0 1 31 35 -4 - 4 Shared with
South & North and Midlands
1960–61 1st 3 3 0 0 43 14 +29 - 6
1961–62 1st= 3 2 1 0 37 9 +28 - 5 Shared with
South
1962–63 1st 3 3 0 0 38 9 +29 - 6
1963–64 2nd 3 2 0 1 30 15 +15 - 4
1964–65 4th 3 1 0 2 25 33 -8 - 2
1965–66 2nd 3 2 0 1 32 11 +21 - 4
1966–67 4th 3 0 1 2 19 28 -9 - 1
1967–68 1st= 3 2 0 1 48 25 +23 - 4 Shared with
South & Glasgow
1968–69 2nd 3 1 1 1 42 54 -12 - 3
1969–70 4th 3 0 1 2 12 28 -16 - 1
1970–71 3rd 3 1 0 2 44 49 -5 - 2
1971–72 1st= (CH) 3 2 0 1 42 36 +6 - 4 Edinburgh beat Glasgow in play-off
1972–73 1st= 3 2 0 1 54 41 +13 - 4
1973–74 4th 3 0 0 3 19 38 -19 - 0
1974–75 3rd 3 1 0 2 27 32 -5 - 2
1975–76 1st= 3 2 0 1 38 34 +4 - 4
1976–77 2nd 3 2 0 1 85 51 +34 - 4
1977–78 1st= 3 2 0 1 49 34 +15 - 4 Shared with
South
1978–79 2nd 3 2 0 1 85 42 +43 - 4
1979–80 1st 3 3 0 0 103 31 +72 - 6
1980–81 3rd 3 1 0 2 74 33 +41 - 2
1981–82 1st= 4 3 1 0 80 28 +52 - 7 Shared with
South
1982–83 3rd 4 2 0 2 88 66 +22 - 4
1983–84 2nd 4 2 0 2 107 59 +48 - 4
1984–85 2nd 4 3 0 1 82 59 +23 - 6
1985–86 2nd 4 3 0 1 65 38 +27 - 6
1986–87 1st 4 4 0 0 96 51 +45 - 8
1987–88 1st 4 4 0 0 88 55 +33 - 8
1988–89 1st 4 4 0 0 115 45 +70 - 8
1989–90 3rd 4 2 1 1 93 65 +28 - 5
1990–91 3rd 4 1 2 1 63 70 -7 - 4
1991–92 5th 2 1 0 1 21 44 -23 - 2 Abbreviated tournament - no winner
1992–93 2nd 4 2 1 1 93 69 +24 - 5
1993–94 3rd 2 1 0 1 34 46 -12 - -
1994–95 2nd 4 1 2 1 62 62 0 - 4
1995–96 2nd 4 2 0 2 109 82 +27 - 4
Professional Era

The Amateur Scottish Inter-District Championship has been restarted twice in the professional era. The first restart was from 1999 to 2002; the second restart from the 2022-23 season.

Season Pos Pld W D L F A +/- BP Pts Notes
1999–2000 3rd 3 1 0 2 90 118 -28 2 6
2000–01 3rd 4 2 0 2 94 86 +8 2 11
2001–02 5th 4 0 0 4 66 176 -110 1 1
2022–23 4th 2 0 0 2 29 72 -43 0 0

Partial list of games played against international opposition

24 November 1962: Edinburgh 22–3 Canada, at Murrayfield
19 November 1975: Edinburgh

10–19 Australia, at Myreside

31 October 1979: Edinburgh 4–16 New Zealand, at Myreside
19 September 1981: Edinburgh 13–18 Romania, at Myreside
15 September 1982: Edinburgh 47–12 Fiji, at Myreside
26 October 1983: Edinburgh 6–22 New Zealand, at Myreside
23 September 1986: Edinburgh 26–14 Japan, at Myreside
23 September 1987: Edinburgh 9–22 France, at Goldenacre
9 November 1988: Edinburgh 19–25 Australia, at Myreside
8 November 1995: Edinburgh 22–35 Western Samoa, at Inverleith
24 August 2007: Edinburgh 14-26 Tonga, at Myreside [5]

Notable players

See also

References

  1. ^ "The Glasgow Herald - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com.
  2. ^ "The Glasgow Herald - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com.
  3. ^ "The Story of Scottish Rugby". www.electricscotland.com.
  4. ^ a b Gould, Caitlin (14 March 2023). "Coaching teams and fixture details confirmed for Inter-district Championship 2023". Scottish Rugby.
  5. ^ "Our history". Archived from the original on 23 December 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  6. ^ "The hidden history of Scotland's first black rugby player". 29 November 2018.
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