Scottish Rugby has announced the inclusion of a new team called Gael Force to compete in the inaugural British & Irish Cup.

Gael Force, who will play their home games at Stirling County RFC’s Bridgehaugh ground, will be composed of National Academy Players and supplemented by Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors squad members not figuring in the Magners League.

The club will be joined in the new cross-border competition by last season’s Scottish Hydro Premier Division 1 champions Ayr and reigning Scottish Hydro Cup holders Heriot’s.

Scottish Rugby’s National Academy Manager Stephen Gemmell will take the role of head coach and will be assisted by 18-times capped former Scotland back Graham Shiel and 11-times capped Scotland hooker Stevie Scott.

And Gemmell said: “We felt it was important that the team had its own identity entering this new competition so we’ve chosen a name that links to our Scottish roots and that we think is dynamic and vibrant.”

Gael Force will open the competition with a visit to English outfit Cornish Pirates on November 22 before again making the long trip south of the border to play Exeter Chiefs a week later.