A: I became interested in rugby when I was 11. I played a lot of football as a kid and was fairly decent goalkeeper, but I moved School to George Watson’s College in near the end of primary school and started playing.

Q: What clubs, including your junior years have you played for?

A: 1995-2001 – George Watson’s College
2001-2003 – False Bay RFC (Cape Town, South Africa)
2004-2008 – Biggar RFC
2008-2009 – Livingston RFC
2009-2011 – Broughton RFC (Player Coach)
2011-2013 – Edinburgh Northern RFC (Head Coach)
2013-Present – Falkirk RFC (Head Coach)

Q: What is your greatest achievement or highlight in your rugby career to date?

A: Representing my 1st XV at School. Being awarded a scholarship to play in South Africa when leaving School, that was a fantastic experience.

Q: Who has been the biggest inspiration in your rugby career and why?

A: I looked up to my dad when I was younger. He played professional football for Montrose FC. We lived in Edinburgh and he used to travel to Montrose 3 times a week for training and games. He unfortunately got badly injured in 98, but was still involved in football with Berwick Rangers as assistant manager. My Uncle Pete, he played for England and the British Lions in the late 60’s and early 70’s. I looked up to him a lot (quite literally at 6ft 8”) I had quite a sporting family and always strived to be emulate them one day.

Q: What is your favourite and least favourite thing about rugby?

A: My favourite thing about rugby is being part of a team. From a coaching point of view, having your team tight knit is great to see. Seeing them want to win and fight to the bitter end is the greatest thing a coach can see.
My least favourite thing is not being able to play anymore. I have been involved for over 15 years now and not being able to get on the pitch to tackle and run hard is hard thing to do now.

Q: Tell us how you scored your best try?

A: I have only ever scored one. For Broughton in my first year, against Penicuik, I was coming back from injury. Our 12 got injured and we had no back cover on the bench, so being ‘forwards coach’ and a long standing prop. I offered my services at 12, had to show them how to do it. I graced the pitch for all of 60 seconds, took the ball from Rob our 10 on his outside shoulder, ran at my opposite number and crashed over the line. I was quickly removed from the field and we won the game 12-10.

Q: If you can have any super power, what would you have and why?

A: The ability to fly, so I would have to sit in a plane for 10 hours to go somewhere hot.

Q: In your squad:

Who would you say is the best team player?
Will Hansen
Who would you say trains the hardest?
Aubrey MnCube – Need to tell him to calm down sometimes or Graham Gilliland
Who would you say is the most skilful player?
Gordon McGuire

Q: If you can go back in time, what advice would you give yourself?

A: To train harder so I could reach my dreams.

Q: What is the most important lesson you have learned in rugby?

A: Not to dwell on mistakes made and to fight hard not have them happen again.

Q: Who are your heroes and role models?

A: Phil Vickery – What a player he was, sad to see him retire when he still had 3 or 4 more years left in him.
Johnny Wilkinson – I know he is English, but for me he is the best player ever to grace a rugby field. He is the ultimate role model any young aspiring rugby player should look at and strive to be.

Q: What does a junior player need to do to realise their dreams?

A: Dedication and persistence. They need to train hard and forget about all the little things that can distract people now a days. If they hit a bump in the road, don’t’ give up, go back and figure a way around it, never give up.

Q: What advice would you give to a player wanting to play in your position?

A: As a coach, I am always learning from others. I look at what the professionals are doing and take ideas from there. I am in a very lucky position to be helping out at Edinburgh Rugby this year and to see how Alan Solomons and Stevie Scott run their session is a great learning experience.