Union Scottish Rugby Union President Colin Rigby 2015–16 6th Founded 1875 | Location Edinburgh, Scotland Coach(es) Bruce McNaughton Ground Inverleith | |
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Full name Stewart's Melville Former Pupils Rugby Football Club League Scottish National League Division One Profiles | ||
Stewart's Melville FP RFC is a Scottish rugby football club in Edinburgh. Members of the Scottish Rugby Union, they play in the Scottish National League, the 2nd tier of club rugby. They play at Inverleith. Its ground, was the venue for Scotland’s home games between 1899 and 1925, during which time the first match against New Zealand was played. Inverleith still boasts some of the best playing facilities in Edinburgh.
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The club was founded in 1875, when a match took place between the former pupils of Daniel Stewart’s Hospital and George Watson’s College. The club took on its present form following the merger of Stewart's College FP and Melville College in 1973.
The club currently run three XVs on a regular basis. The 1st and 2nd XVs both play in competitive national leagues, with the 2nd XV back in the top flight of the reserve leagues. Below this level, we operate a 'social' 3rd XV which provides rugby for those who just wish to play recreationally.
As the name suggests, many of the players in the club's history were former pupils of the Stewart's Melville College (formed in a merger of Daniel Stewart's College and Melville College) in Edinburgh, and this remains the case today.
Youngsters such as David McCall and Ross Samson have both gained International honours this year having joined the club after leaving school. They are joined in the team by more experienced players, Graham Shiel (ex-Melrose and Scotland) and Craig Joiner (ex Leicester Tigers and Scotland).
The 1st XV were coached by Grant MacKenzie, a P.E. teacher who worked at the school, and who died in 2008. He was much respected by members of the club.