Curtain Down on the Fringe, Curtain Up on the Season

Hello Northerners,

It is a smeary day in Edinburgh, with summer fading at the edges and autumn making its presence felt through the seemingly endless rain. From my office on Calton Hill, the city appears to be caught between seasons as below me, a seemingly endless battalion of tourists makes for Waverley Station - umbrellas raised against the drizzle - as they begin their journeys home.

For them, the party is over. For us at Edinburgh Northern, it is just about to begin.

As the final acts take their bows and August, with all its detritus of performers, posters and audiences, folds itself away for another year, anticipation begins to build elsewhere. In just a week's time, the 2026/27 domestic rugby season gets underway, and the playing fields of Edinburgh will once again echo to the sound of whistles, crunching tackles and celebration.

First, you've got a match-report from Livingston and a preview of our trip to Penicuik this weekend to enjoy.

Livingston RFC – 22 August 2026

Northern travelled to Almond Park last Saturday for their second pre-season fixture of the campaign, played on yet another glorious late-summer afternoon in front of a sizeable home crowd – unsurprising, as the attractions on a sunny afternoon in West Lothian are not especially numerous.

Our hosts Livingston have made no secret of their ambitions to challenge for the East 1 title this season and may well have viewed Northern as an opportunity to enjoy themselves against opposition from a lower division. This, readers, would prove not to be the case.

Northern travelled with a strong squad, including three full club debutants: Giles Harker at hooker, John Craig at scrum-half, and Raymond Shell from the bench, although Craig had previously featured against our French visitors earlier in the summer.

The visitors started brightly, with captain James Breslin setting the tone from the kick-off with a crunching tackle on his opposite number. Northern's first meaningful attack came from a scrum deep inside their own half. Slick handling and an excellent offload from a falling Felix Flute almost sent Matthew Graham clear, and when a penalty followed, Northern kicked to the corner and established a strong attacking position. Several phases later, Ben Cowdy came close to forcing his way over, but a knock-on at the crucial moment brought the move to an end.

Defences dominated the early exchanges. Although Northern enjoyed the lion's share of possession during the opening quarter, a number of promising attacks were undone by turnovers at the breakdown. Several penalties eventually pushed the visitors deep into the Livingston 22, where Northern worked patiently through multiple phases. Connor Forlow, in particular, carried with real authority, a theme that would continue throughout the afternoon. Once again, however, a breakdown turnover allowed Livingston to clear their lines.

The hosts, perhaps a little surprised by Northern's physicality in the opening stages, gradually began to see more of the ball. A penalty for crossing gave them territory, and a further infringement moved them into the Northern 22. From the line-out, Livingston's maul functioned efficiently and their hooker detached from the back to score in the corner. The conversion drifted wide. 5-0.

Northern responded immediately with aggressive defence and won a penalty from the restart. Unfortunately, the touch-finder missed its target, allowing Livingston to counter from a scrum near their own 10-metre line. A powerful carry through midfield provided the platform before quick ball was moved wide. Their winger broke clear and fed the supporting full-back, who crossed from 40 metres out. The conversion was successful. 12-0.

Livingston enjoyed plenty of possession during the remainder of the half, but Northern's defence remained resolute. The hosts frequently turned to their half-backs' kicking game in an attempt to keep Northern pinned back, a tactic which enjoyed some success. Several line breaks gave Livingston promising field position, but a superb last-ditch tackle from Alistair McDonald forced a crucial knock-on and prevented further damage.

The half ended positively for Northern. Livingston's No.3 was shown a yellow card after disagreeing with a penalty decision against his side. A succession of penalties then pushed Northern deep into the opposition 22, but determined Livingston defence held firm until the interval. 12-0 HT.

Northern began the second half in much the same fashion as the first, enjoying early possession and making ground through a series of powerful carries. Another turnover penalty, however, handed Livingston field position inside the Northern 22. Once again, Northern's defence delivered.

Reading the attack superbly, John McIntyre shot out of the line to intercept and, after being hauled down near halfway, offloaded to Joe Chambers in support. Chambers surged 25 metres upfield before, surrounded by five defenders, producing what can only be described as a Cruyff-like pirouette to escape the cover. He then delivered a perfectly timed 30-metre pass to Felix Flute, who raced in from the 10-metre line to score in the corner. It was a sensational counter-attacking try, and no less than Northern deserved after 45 minutes of relentless effort. John Craig added an excellent conversion. 12-7.

Northern regathered the restart well, but the following spell became scrappy. Handling errors disrupted both sides, while the referee's sharp eye at the breakdown led to a steady stream of penalties. Livingston No.8 then received a yellow card for a late and unnecessary challenge on John Craig, ensuring a second Almond Valley resident spent time in the sin bin for a fairly petulant offence.

Northern capitalised. From the resulting line-out, they established a strong platform through the maul before James Shaw carried powerfully under the posts. Matthew Graham, now operating at scrum-half, sniped from the base and was stopped just short, but managed to offload to Robbie Brown. Brown quickly found John Mac, who moved the ball wide for Kasei Burns to finish in the corner. The conversion, courtesy of an unidentified kicker, edged Northern into the lead. 12-14.

With Almond Park unusually subdued, Livingston responded by raising the intensity. Despite enjoying significant possession, Northern struggled to clear their lines and eventually conceded a penalty directly in front of the posts. Having publicly stated their intention to win every home fixture this season, Livingston had little hesitation in taking the points. 15-14.

Northern's response was excellent. A well-contested restart forced a knock-on, earning a scrum just outside the Livingston 22. Slick handling across the backs then released Kasei Burns on the outside, only for the winger to be bundled into touch agonisingly close to the line.

The pressure continued. Northern stole possession from the resulting line-out and drove to within inches of the try line through a series of pick-and-goes, but another knock-on brought the attack to an end. Livingston immediately launched a dangerous counter, their full-back slicing through on an excellent line before linking cleverly with support runners. The hosts looked destined to go coast-to-coast before a superb last-ditch tackle from James Breslin halted the move.

Shortly afterwards, Livingston were awarded a penalty for interference with the scrum-half and took it quickly. Northern defended heroically through a lengthy spell of pressure, but with Alistair McDonald in the sin bin and advantage being played, the hosts eventually forced their way over beneath the posts from close range. The conversion was successful. 22-14.

Northern were far from finished, but once again found Livingston's defence difficult to break down. Strong carries from Joe Chambers and James Shaw repeatedly got the visitors on the front foot, yet the pressure eventually told in the wrong way. A penalty was awarded directly in front of the posts and was comfortably converted. 25-14.

As the game entered its final stages, Northern continued to compete. Another well-chased restart provided field position, and the visitors patiently worked through 12 phases of possession inside the Livingston half. The hosts' defence, however, matched their determination. Fittingly, with Northern appearing to have numbers and space inside the five-metre channel, a turnover penalty was awarded, prompting rapturous celebrations from a crowd that had finally rediscovered its voice.

Despite the scoreline, this was an impressive and highly encouraging performance from Northern. Against opponents expected to challenge at the top end of East 1, the visitors matched Livingston physically, created numerous scoring opportunities and remained firmly in the contest until the final whistle. There is plenty to suggest that Northern's preparations are heading firmly in the right direction.

Penicuik – 29 August 2026

Which segues neatly into this weekend's action. From West Lothian to Midlothian, a distinction that can sometimes be difficult to discern, a sizeable Northern contingent of 32 players travels to Penicuik and the salubriously named Pennypit for our final pre-season fixture.

Penicuik have endured a difficult period recently, culminating in relegation at the end of last season, but they will still provide a stern test for Northern. If recent meetings between the sides are anything to go by, nobody should be expecting an easy afternoon.

From a Northern perspective, this is very much a squad fixture and a final opportunity for players to stake their claim before Jamie, Tom, Crebh and Lee settle on their selections for what promises to be a highly competitive opening league match next weekend.

Supporters are, as always, warmly encouraged to make the trip. A small convoy already appears set to depart from the Bunker and, if you're not playing and would rather leave the driving to someone else, keep an eye on the WhatsApp chat for a lift.

As if any further incentive were required, our hosts have generously offered to put on a post-match BBQ, something that will no doubt be thoroughly appreciated by those making the journey. After all, is there anything more British than standing around a barbecue in the rain? Answers on a postcard.

Yours in rugby,

Edinburgh Northern

Pictures credited to Gordon Scott. Full album available here.