Two rugby team mates who play for Dundee High school FP are set to face each other in the scrum this weekend as they line up at Mayfield Park - one for Scotland and one for Ireland in the Six Nations under 21 championships.
Alastair Dickinson (19), a second year geography student at the University of Dundee is a Dundonian and an authentic Dundee High School FP. He is delighted to be playing for Scotland this weekend as it is his dream to make it to the senior Scotland squad. Alasdair is supported by the Scottish Institute of Sport - having been identified as one of the most talented athletes in Scotland.
Neil McComb, his FP team mate will be on the starting line for Ireland. A first year psychology student at the University of Dundee, Neil, from Belfast, will return to Dundee on Thursday for Saturday's match after a few days training at Blackrock college in Dublin. He thinks that Ireland have a good chance of beating Scotland on their home turf. He explains: "We've played two and won two so far so I think if training goes well this week we'll have a good chance of beating the Scots in Dundee. Scotland however have strong forwards so we'll have to be on the ball!"
Neil is an Excel scholar at the University of Dundee, one of a handful of students selected by sports experts at the University to receive financial and training support from the scheme. Programme co-ordinator Kirsteen Cruickshanks also helps the students negotiate with tutors and faculties over timetabling and examinations if they have competitions or matches to participate in.
She said: "The University is delighted that both Alasdair and Neil have been selected to represent their home nations in the U/21 Six Nations Championship.
Both athletes have risen to the challenge of successfully combining their academic studies with their rugby. The level of commitment from the athletes in combining 2 - 3 matches and up to 6 training sessions per week has been incredible. Neil has had the added pressure of returning to Ireland at weekends for squad sessions."
By Jenny Marra, Press Officer 01382 344910 j.m.marra@dundee.ac.uk