Luke Crosbie is very much in the frame to be part of the Scotland matchday 23 that takes on England at Twickenham in the Guinness Six Nations opener on Saturday.
And, if the back-row is involved, you can be sure that the Currie Chieftains’ faithful will be heading into the Malleny Park clubhouse to watch the Calcutta Cup clash on TV after watching their own first XV take on Marr in a Tennent’s Premiership match.
Edinburgh Rugby man Luke, now 25, began his rugby journey at his local club Livingston RFC and it was then in his late teens that a move to Currie helped take his game to the next level.
He loved his time at the club as he learned from the experienced coaches there and the experienced players and the warm welcome he received made him feel good and pushed him on to Scotland under-20 honours.
While at Malleny Park he became part of the Scottish Rugby Academy system and, following an Edinburgh professional debut in October 2017, he signed his first full-time contract with the capital club a couple of months later – and he has never looked back.
Well, he has looked back because he often returns to Malleny when he can to chat to the youngsters in the club’s youth section and with him – and many others in recent years – progressing from the community club to the very top of the game, he is an inspiration.
Ahead of the P4-P6s playing at HT at the @EdinburghRugby match this weekend, we had great fun with Jamie Jack, Damian Hoyland and former Chieftain @crosbiee5 joining our training session, followed by autographs and selfies. The Minis are buzzing about playing so come along! 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/61lrqrSnoL
— Currie Chieftains (@ChieftainsRC) December 16, 2022
“It’s great when I go back to Currie and see how much it inspires the kids,” the man who currently has two full Scotland caps to his name said.
“That is where I developed most of my game. I was at school in West Calder [at the high school], but they never had a rugby team so most of my development came at Currie after starting at Livingston. Both clubs are great community clubs and everyone at Currie when I moved there was really welcoming and helpful.
“I’ve kept the mindset from those days until now that you’ve got to keep working hard, be consistent and not be too emotional when you don’t get picked.
“You can’t let it affect your training and when the opportunities do come you have put in the work and you have to go out and display what you’ve been putting in in the gym and at training into matches.
“It’s always great to catch up with the youngsters [from Currie] it puts the game in perspective because that’s what it’s all about.
“I would say that rugby is for everyone.
“There are so many different types of player and so many different positions you can play. You’ve got wingers who are fast guys and then guys the front-row who are big and strong.
“Everyone is welcome to come and play the game.
“Rugby can be great fun and the friends that you make whilst playing are friends for life.”
Inspired by Luke’s story and want to get involved in rugby with the Currie Chieftains? Visit curriechieftains.org to find out more, it really is a game – and a club – for all males and females…
The Scotland matchday squad to face England will be named on Thursday, find out more about the Guinness Six Nations here
Thanks to Rugby People for the main photo