Rated youngster Brown hooks up at Myreside

WATSONIANS have landed one of Scotland's top academy prospects – hooker Fraser Brown.

And the Biggar youngster's arrival to contest the No.2 jersey with Gregor Wood is particularly timely.

Steve Lawrie, a regular last season on release from Edinburgh Rugby, is now seconded to Boroughmuir under the new draft arrangement and 'Sonian coach Bruce Aitchison said: "We were delighted when Fraser decided that with Biggar just missing out on promotion last season he needed exposure to Division One standards and chose to link up with Watsonians."

Another young recruit who is also part of the SRU academy set-up is back rower Stuart McNally whom Aitchison believes can breakthrough into senior rugby this season at blindside flanker.

"When I heard Stuart was not only captain of the 1st XV but also Watson's College head boy I was particularly keen to sit down with him for a chat ahead of him joining the rugby club. I wanted to know how he balanced everything and it seems he has great family support as well as being a highly intelligent youngster.

"With the interest that is being shown in him by Murrayfield officials I wasn't sure how much we'd actually see of him at Myreside but, so far, he has trained regularly and on other occasions dropped by to keep in touch with what is going on.

"Initially I see him playing on the blindside of our scrum and when Will Rowley gets back in training after a knee op he can provide some worthwhile guidance with his considerable experience."

In enlisting at Myreside Brown and fellow central contractee McNally will also benefit from a new regime being put in place by Aitchison which includes – soccer sessions! Aitchison said: "In my day-time job as a PE teacher at Tynecastle High I've got to know one of the SFA football coaches, Chris Brown. I'm a great believer in seeing what sporting skills are inter-changeable so asked Chris along to take a training session.

"There was a strong emphasis on football drills and Chris said he was going to make it particularly exhausting. Our guys took that as a challenge to try to show rugby in as good a light as possible and it was re-assuring to hear them say afterwards that they hadn't felt too tired."

Another 'Sonian innovation is based on all players being issued with calendar's outlining exactly what to expect one month in advance. Aitchison, who, aged 29, has been invalided out of a playing career which including Scottish schools and age-group honours with knee trouble, said: "When I was a player I appreciated knowing well in advance what was coming up. We supplied details of our July training schedule in May and the August equivalent was issued three weeks ago.

"Feedback has been positive not only from players but their wives/partners also. The aim is to ensure we take rugby seriously while remembering it is primarily a hobby."

The more experienced Andrew Skeen is off to Amatori Milan but the utility back's absence has been offset by the return of former Rotherham pro Jamie Blackwood, who will take over scrum half duties. And former Scotland age-group captain Alan Nash may finally be clear of injury woes and has been playing a part in preparations for a new season which has seen invitations extended to the Army, Navy and Cambridge University to play friendlies.