Hamilton Rugby Club boys called up for Glasgow Under-16 squad.

Dec 31 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

FOUR Hamilton Rugby Club youngsters are in the squad of 38 for the prestigious Glasgow Pathway programme.

Winger Ben Montgomery, centre Scott Murray and hooker Calder Dallas have been selected for the under-16 squad.

And prop Joseph McQuade is in the running for the final under-17 squad, having last year featured in Glasgow’s final under-16 group.

From an initial training squad of 60, the boys will now have another five sessions until the squad is narrowed to 26 for their inter-district fixtures.

For these lads, there will be increased scrutiny of their core skills of hand catch, ball presentation, tackling, offloading, running and support lines, fitness and mental toughness.

The squad will train with all 38 players until the end of January, when the Inter-District Championship squad will be chosen.

Hamilton under-16 coach Ross Whiteside said: “The boys are through to the next stage of the Glasgow Inter-District set-up and that is brilliant for them and the club.

“It’s testament to the hard work they’ve put in across the season because this has been a long, drawn-out affair, from the trials in May through to the Glasgow Chiefs and then the lads being selected as a 64-strong squad for training, which is now down to the last 38.

“The final cut will be made in February, when it’s down to 26.”

Ross added: “We’ve been getting more and more success in recent times and one of our players, Ross Inglis, has got all the way through to the Scotland set-up. These other lads see somebody who isn’t that much older doing this and so it’s attainable.

“That is fantastic for the club and drives the young players on.”

On Joseph McQuade’s involvement, Hamilton under-17 coach David Logan commented: “Joe can make the Scotland set-up if he keeps training the same way.

“He’s a natural player and can cover numerous positions. He could go all the way.”

He added: “It’s very good for the club and for him and is his reward for a lot of hard work. Joe trains harder than the rest of the guys.

“He hasn’t been with us all season because of his involvement with Glasgow but when he does play, the other players’ heads go up because they’re playing with somebody of that calibre.

“That gives them something to aspire to and shows them what can be achieved if they work hard.”

Glasgow under-17 coach and Hamilton 1st XV captain Richie Maxton said: “This is tremendous news for Joseph. Playing for your District is a step closer to playing international rugby if you do well.

“Joseph is a very powerful player and although he has a lot to learn he has natural ability and always gives 100 per cent.

“It’s also fantastic for the club and shows that our youth system is starting to pay off. Hopefully these guys will be playing for the first team soon and can help us to progress further.”