How Merchiston Built One of Scotland’s Great Rugby Programs

What happens when a rugby programme becomes too obsessed with winning?

For Roddy Deans, the answer was counterintuitive: stop chasing it.

This week on Coaching Culture, I sit down with Roddy Deans, who spent more than a decade leading rugby at Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh, one of Scotland's great rugby schools, before moving into a pathway and coach development role with Scottish Rugby.

When Roddy arrived at Merchiston, the school desperately wanted to win the Scottish Cup. The pressure was everywhere.

So he flipped the approach.

No outcome goals. No constant talk about the Cup. No making the First XV the ultimate destination.

Instead, the programme focused on developing people, creating genuine pathways for every player, building relationships and making rugby somewhere young people actually wanted to be.

And eventually, the winning took care of itself.

This conversation goes much deeper than rugby tactics.

Roddy talks about growing up in the Scottish Borders surrounded by rugby greats, the influence of his British & Irish Lions father, losing his mother at a young age, the mentors who helped raise him, and why those experiences shaped his belief that culture is ultimately about people and relationships.

We explore why the First XV should never be the North Star, why every school player should leave with somewhere to continue their rugby, and why Roddy gets as much satisfaction seeing former pupils playing club rugby together as he does seeing them represent Scotland.

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✅ About Coaching Culture with Ben Herring.

Welcome to Coaching Culture, where I host candid conversations with top rugby coaches and leaders from across industries to explore what it truly takes to build lasting, high-performing cultures. In each episode, we go beyond strategy to discuss trust, leadership, emotional intelligence, and the values that drive long-term success. From international rugby to grassroots sport, I aim to offer insights that will inspire and educate coaches and leaders everywhere.

My focus is on the cultural side of coaching – how to connect with people, deliver impactful messages, and create environments that foster growth. Whether you’re a rugby coach or a business leader, you’ll find valuable lessons. Join me to learn how we coach, lead, and create high-performance environments.

🔔 If you're looking for coaching & leadership skills, hit ! Stay tuned for candid conversations, expert insights, strategies, & inspiring stories.
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