Latest news with #ScotlandRugby
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Masibaka eyes 'full-circle moment' for Scotland against Fiji
Alex Masibaka says facing Fiji in a Scotland jersey this summer would represent "a full circle moment" as he aims to make his debut on the international stage. The 23-year-old back-rower qualifies for the Scots through his Paisley-born mother, but could just as easily be in the white Fijian jersey given his father's heritage. Advertisement "I'm very excited," said Masibaka, ahead of Scotland's trip to Suva in the middle of two matches in New Zealand. "My mother's, she's Scottish and my dad's Fijian, so it'll be a full circle moment for me and my family. "We're trying to get my parents over and I've got family in Fiji as well who will try to come down for that Fiji game and yeah, it's going to be huge." Masibaka plays for French side Montpellier but spent last season on loan at Pro D2 side Soyaux-Angouleme and was a shock call-up to the Scotland squad during the Six Nations. Advertisement Although he did not manage any game time, the number eight admitted that even being called into the wider squad by Gregor Townsend came as something of a surprise. "I was a bit shocked at first, to be honest," he said. "I was just sitting on the couch talking to my mum on the phone while she was at work and just got the call and instantly just froze. "I was just like, 'wow, this is real'. But I had to quickly shape up and come prepared and it's everything I dreamed of. "I felt like a new kid. Honestly, I was a bit nervous. I know there's some superstars in here and the first person I met was Finn Russell. Advertisement "I was very nervous talking to him, but he was just very humble and very good to talk to. "I'm just trying to learn off the other boys and try to be a sponge and take as much as I can from the team and try to bring it into the next training session. That's my focus at the moment."
BBC News
3 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Masibaka eyes 'full-circle moment' for Scotland against Fiji
Alex Masibaka says facing Fiji in a Scotland jersey this summer would represent "a full circle moment" as he aims to make his debut on the international 23-year-old back-rower qualifies for the Scots through his Paisley-born mother, but could just as easily be in the white Fijian jersey given his father's heritage."I'm very excited," said Masibaka, ahead of Scotland's trip to Suva in the middle of two matches in New Zealand."My mother's, she's Scottish and my dad's Fijian, so it'll be a full circle moment for me and my family."We're trying to get my parents over and I've got family in Fiji as well who will try to come down for that Fiji game and yeah, it's going to be huge."Masibaka plays for French side Montpellier but spent last season on loan at Pro D2 side Soyaux-Angouleme and was a shock call-up to the Scotland squad during the Six he did not manage any game time, the number eight admitted that even being called into the wider squad by Gregor Townsend came as something of a surprise."I was a bit shocked at first, to be honest," he said. "I was just sitting on the couch talking to my mum on the phone while she was at work and just got the call and instantly just froze."I was just like, 'wow, this is real'. But I had to quickly shape up and come prepared and it's everything I dreamed of."I felt like a new kid. Honestly, I was a bit nervous. I know there's some superstars in here and the first person I met was Finn Russell."I was very nervous talking to him, but he was just very humble and very good to talk to."I'm just trying to learn off the other boys and try to be a sponge and take as much as I can from the team and try to bring it into the next training session. That's my focus at the moment."
Daily Mail
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
'It felt like a gut punch': Scotland star Rory Darge opens up on British and Irish Lions heartache after narrowly missing out on tour Down Under
Rory Darge admits it felt like a 'gut punch' to miss out on selection for the British and Irish Lions. But the Scotland star insists he will be ready to answer the call if it comes from Andy Farrell over these next few weeks. Darge narrowly missed out on making Farrell's 38-man squad for the tour of Australia when it was announced last month. The head coach has an embarrassment of riches in the back row, arguably the most competitive area in the whole squad. Darge will instead captain Scotland on their summer tour of the South Pacific, featuring games against the Maori All Blacks, Fiji and Samoa. With injuries part and parcel of any Lions tour, however, the 25-year-old would only be a phone call away if anyone was to be ruled out. While that is not necessarily his main focus, the fact he is in the same part of the world as the Lions would do his chances no harm. 'Before the squad announcement, I wasn't particularly expecting to be there,' admitted Darge. 'Part of that might be you're protecting yourself a little bit for when you don't get announced. But I also just think my position is so competitive. 'Even still, when the names are getting read out and you're watching it on TV, they are going in alphabetical order and it gets past your name, it does feel like a gut punch. 'I was obviously delighted for the other boys who did get picked. But it's a weird mix of emotions. I've got a lot on my plate with Scotland at the moment and we're focusing on trying to get three wins from three. 'The Lions obviously aren't my main focus. But, yeah, if the call was to come, I would certainly be ready for it.' Scotland's tour begins next weekend against the Maori All Blacks, with Gregor Townsend selecting a strong squad for the three-game series. Darge's first ever visit to rugby-mad New Zealand will be enough to focus his mind. 'I have never been before. It's cool to experience these places and it's something I know that, if it wasn't for rugby, I wouldn't be able to do,' he added.
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Scotland have 'unfinished business' from last World Cup
Scotland prop Anne Young says she wants to make her mark at this summer's Rugby World Cup after being a frustrated spectator at the tournament in New Zealand three years was included in the wider squad in 2022 but failed to see any match action as the Scots lost all three games to exit at the pool says they have "unfinished business"."It is the pinnacle of the sport, going to a World Cup," Young said."I went in the wider squad in the last World Cup and didn't manage to get on the pitch, unfortunately."So definitely, this is one that I'm hoping I can contribute to one of the games, for sure. It's an incredible opportunity."I think being in England, all the home nations will hopefully get a lot of support. It's going to be an incredible spectacle, so I'm hoping that we make it a good one."Young, 25, says the squad are motivated to make up for the disappointment of the last World Cup when agonising narrow defeats to Wales and Australia cost Scotland a place in the knockout stages."I think we were pretty disappointed in the last World Cup, coming close in two games and not managing to get out of our pool stages," Young added."That's something that we definitely want to change this year, definitely a lot of unfinished business and hoping to push on past that for sure."
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Rugby starlet from North Lanarkshire set to give it a try in the United States
Cailin Lardner has gained a scholarship at Queens University of Charlotte A teenage Scottish international rugby player from North Lanarkshire is set to take up a university scholarship in the United States. Cailin Lardner, 17, who lives in Hartwood, was amongst the forwards named by the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) for the Scotland Rugby U18 Women's squad for the Six Nations festival tournament earlier this year. The tournament was held at Wellington College in England in April this year. Cailin enjoyed a superb time away for her first caps and played from the start against France and Ireland, and was a replacement against Italy and in a historic win over England. The teenager, who previously lived in Allanton, is a former pupil at St Patrick's Primary in Shotts and has been playing rugby since she was 13 years old. Her talent and hard work led her being offered the opportunity of scholarships at two universities in Miami and Charlotte. Cailin has made the decision to study and play rugby at Queens University of Charlotte, North Carolina. She completed her school studies at Greenfaulds High in Cumbernauld and is now looking forward to starting at the university in August where she will major in Sports Management for her degree. Cailin said: 'I'm really excited to play rugby in the USA and to learn more in a multi cultural environment. 'Charlotte is a beautiful city and Miami is super cool but Queens play NCAA Division One rugby in the USA which would be the equivalent to Super BUCS here in the UK. 'Miami was offering Division 2 for next season so the decision around the course and rugby was easier to make. I've been in the performance pathway with Scotland for almost three years now and have to continue playing at the highest level I can.' As well as moving across the Atlantic, Cailin will also to sacrifice playing international rugby for the time being. As Cailin's dad Steven explained: 'Due to the fact she's leaving the country she'll lose her Scotland Rugby contract for now, but she's still young at 17 and with plenty of time to pick that up again. 'Scotland will of course keep an eye on her progress. 'It's not lost on Cailin or any of us that rugby has been the catalyst for this opportunity along with her studies at Greenfaulds High in Cumbernauld.' While the teenager is looking forward to the move she will miss some of the comforts of home and family. 'Obviously my mum, dad, sister, and my Border Collie Gin will be missed so much along with my wider family,' said Cailin. 'I will definitely miss a crispy roll and square sausage too! 'Queens is a fully residential university and I think coping will be made much easier with roommates, teammates and a strong student welfare culture'. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
