Rugby's tallest player included in 31-man Emerging Scotland squad

Edinburgh lock Rob Carmichael has been selected in Gregor Townsend’s 31-man Emerging Scotland squad that will play for the first time against Italy U23 on Saturday at Edinburgh’s Hive Stadium.

Standing at 6ft 11in, the 21-year-old is the tallest player in professional rugby currently. Having come through the Leicester Tigers academy, he made the move to Edinburgh earlier this year, initially on loan before making it permanent in the summer.

It was a busy summer for the lock, who was included in Townsend’s Scotland squad during their tour of the Americas as a development player.

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The squad also includes back-row Liam McConnell, who captained Scotland U20 to the World Rugby U20 Trophy earlier this year. The 20-year-old made his Edinburgh debut on Friday against Gloucester, coming on from the bench after only 20 minutes. He was joined by Carmichael among the replacements.

The fixture against Italy U23 will be part of the National Academy, which Scotland describe as a “pilot programme which was launched in September to add increased value to the development of a selected group of promising players.” The players in the academy have been coached by Townsend and his staff.

Fixture

Six Nations

Scotland

31 - 19

Full-time

Italy

All Stats and Data

“This fixture enables us to bring our best young players together, have a week of training with national team coaches, and take on a quality international side,” Townsend said.

“Similar fixtures that will look to expose emerging talented Scottish players to high level competition will aim to be included going forward. Probably the most important element of a young player’s development is learning by playing at a higher level than you’ve previously experienced. The game has always been the best teacher and we believe that our players will reap the benefits from this experience.

“We’ve enjoyed our involvement in coaching the young players through the national academy. It takes us back to the reasons why you are a coach in the first place, to help people improve.

“This has allowed us first-hand to learn more about our best young developing players by working with them more regularly.”

Emerging Scotland squad
Forwards
Jerry Blyth-Lafferty (Edinburgh Rugby)
Ollie Blyth-Lafferty (Edinburgh Rugby)
Rudi Brown (Vannes)
Rob Carmichael (Edinburgh Rugby)
Tom Currie (Edinburgh Rugby)
Macenzzie Duncan (Glasgow Warriors)
Dan Halkon (Glasgow Warriors)
Mikey Jones (Edinburgh Rugby)
Liam McConnell (Edinburgh Rugby)
Euan McVie (Edinburgh Rugby)
Harri Morris (Edinburgh Rugby)
Callum Norrie (Glasgow Warriors)
Cairn Ramsay (Currie Chieftains)
Joe Roberts (Glasgow Warriors)
Callum Smyth (Glasgow Warriors)
Rhys Tait (Doncaster Knights)

Backs
Sinjin Broad (Heriot’s Rugby)
Jack Brown (Edinburgh Rugby)
Amena Caqusau (Glasgow Warriors)
Geordie Gwynn (Ealing Trailfinders)
Brent Jackson (Glasgow Warriors)
Kerr Johnston (Glasgow Warriors)
Nairn Moncrieff (Edinburgh Rugby)
Conor McAlpine (Edinburgh Rugby)
Ben Salmon (Glasgow Warriors)
Cammy Scott (Edinburgh Rugby)
Nathan Sweeney (Edinburgh Rugby)
Findlay Thomson (Edinburgh Rugby)
Matthew Urwin (Glasgow Warriors)
Lewis Wells (Edinburgh Rugby)
Kerr Yule (Glasgow Warriors)