While the club has come a long way since the glory days of the 1980s, when its success on the Sevens circuit culminated in victory at the prestigious Middlesex Sevens in 1982, its crop of talented young players regularly go on to play at Pro Team and international level.
Scotland star George Turner started his career playing in the red, black and gold of Stewart’s Melville, while current Pro Team players with links to Inverleith include Jack Blain, Connor Boyle, Ross Thompson and Jamie Hodgson.
Other Scotland players from Stewart’s Melville include Dougie Morgan, Alex Brewster, Ian Forsyth, Sandy Hinshelwood, John Douglas and the Calder twins, Jim and Fin.
The club was founded in 1875, when a match took place between the former pupils of Daniel Stewart’s Hospital and George Watson’s College. The club took on its present form following the merger of Daniel Stewart’s College and Melville College in 1973.
Its ground, Inverleith, was the first purpose built international stadium in the world, providing the venue for Scotland’s home games between 1899 and 1925. During that time the first matches against New Zealand and France were played.
Inverleith still boasts some of the best playing facilities in Edinburgh, including what is believed to be the largest pitch in Scotland.
The club currently run two XVs on a regular basis. The 1st and 2nd XVs both play in competitive national leagues.
The club welcomes all-comers at Inverleith.
