The Autumn Nations Series game versus Portugal on November 16 was a big one for Johnny Matthews because he earned his second Scotland cap that day, but it’s the Australia match eight days later that will remain in the memory of someone else with the same surname for a long time to come.
That is because, on November 24 as Gregor Townsend’s Scots defeated Australia 27-13 at Murrayfield, 11-year-old Hugo Matthews from Edinburgh was one of the mascots.
The Currie Primary School primary seven pupil – who plays for local club Currie Chieftains – said about the experience: “It was a dream come true.
“It really was an amazing experience and such a thrill to meet all the players and see them getting ready to play. The players were all really nice and took time to say hi and high five the mascots.
“My highlight was running on to the pitch with Blair Kinghorn. He was really nice and was chatting to me in the tunnel before we headed out and took the time to come over to me immediately after the anthems to say ‘hope you enjoy the game!’.
“I certainly did enjoy the game, they played so well and my Mum, Dad, wee sister and wee brother were all with me in the stand which was really special and we watched the game together.
“We all had an amazing day and one that I will remember forever.”
With it being a 1.30pm kick-off on the day, Hugo and the other lucky mascots had to meet early at Murrayfield and get ready to welcome the Scottish team bus.
They then met team mascot ‘Lochie’ before getting warmed up to practice running out onto the main pitch and then finally running out with the team and singing ‘Flower O’ Scotland’ in front of the crowd.
And whatever Hugo and the other mascots said to player of the match Kinghorn, captain Sione Tuipulotu, playmaker Finn Russell and the rest of the Scotland squad in the tunnel and just after the anthems, it clearly worked.
They were 7-3 up at half-time thanks to a try by centre Tuipulotu converted by stand-off Russell and then, in the second period, they really turned on the style.
Winger Duhan van der Merwe – to become the record men’s try scorer once again for Scotland with 30 – No.8 Josh Bayliss and Russell all crossed for tries and the latter kicked a penalty and a conversion as they ended the international year on a high.
And as much as Hugo loved that day, he also loves playing rugby himself up at Malleny Park with his friends.
He said: “I love being part of the Currie club and being a ‘Chieftain’ – it’s a great club and it has a fantastic youth set up so I’ll continue to play and enjoy my rugby.”
Thanks to Hugo’s family for the images from the big day
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