Alex is a good friend of mine from our London Irish days and he’d let me use his flat when I signed for Harlequins at the last minute after being released by London Irish. Needless to say, it came as a very pleasant surprise to hear from Gregor, especially as I had thought any chance of playing for my country had gone as I was 27 at the time. He had been in touch with me a few times before but on those occasions the phone call to tell me I was being considered was always followed by another call to say I hadn’t got in.
Playing in the Calcutta Cup win at Twickenham in 2021 is without doubt the highlight of my career. I’d been to the crazy 38-all game a couple of years before as a fan and had been on the beers all day. I remember looking down at the pitch seeing some of the lads playing for Scotland, that I’d played age-group stuff with, thinking wistfully to myself that it could have been me if I’d maybe have worked harder. So, when I actually got to play there two years later I allowed myself a moment afterwards to look up to the empty grandstand where I had been sat with my mates in 2019, to let it all sink in.
It was all I’d ever dreamed of as a kid, running around with a ball in hand, dropping goals and pretending to beat England. I think if it wasn’t for that period when I played for Scotland, and won the Premiership with Harlequins, I would have found it a lot harder to process what I am going through now – the onset of retirement.
この記事は The Rugby Paper の May 26, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
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この記事は The Rugby Paper の May 26, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
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Sleightholme shows he has pace to burn
OLLIE Sleightholme recently clocked his fastest sprint time and is racing to cement his spot as an England starter.
McGoverne says playing for Chiefs is her priority
EXETER fly-half Olivia McGoverne has opted for club over country which will rule her out of contention for New Zealand’s World Cup bid in 2025.
Trinity aim to get the culture right
HIGH-FLYING Trinity have made a remarkable turnaround this season after narrowly avoiding relegation last term, heading into this weekend unbeaten and are now eyeing up promotion from Level 7.
YOUNG GUNS
Louie Gulley experienced the environment of England U20s’ World Championship triumph up close this summerand now has a burning desire to become an age-grade star. The 19-year-old Exeter Chiefs hooker was part of Mark Mapletoft’s squad but didn’t manage to make an appearance during the tournament.
The Cherry & Whites lay down marker over Lucs
CAMBORNE maintained their lead at the top of the table with a bonus-point win against their nearest challengers in a pulsating game.
A brace from Botterill is key to victory for Esher
A highly entertaining and enthralling contest between two sides fighting at the foot of the table was eventually won by Esher after the lead had changed no less than seven times throughout an absorbing afternoon.
Chiefs in hunt for new investment
TONY Rowe has confirmed the search for new investors into Exeter Chiefs has begun as he looks to safeguard the longterm future of the Premiership club.
McParland keen to shine for England A
NORTHAMPTON scrum-half Archie McParland feels he has returned a better player following a nasty injury that denied him a World Cup winners medal and is now ready to fly into a new opportunity with England A.
Undercard get chance to show their A-game
ENGLAND’S A team today get their first major work-out after being resurrected earlier this year when Australia’s undercard provide the opposition at The Stoop.
England look like a clueless rabble
I WATCHED with a growing sense of bewilderment as England yet again took to the field against Australia looking to all intents and purpose as if they had just been introduced to each other on the coach into Twickenham.