EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH SCOTT CUMMINGS | | The ISSUE #1

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BRYAN EASSON | | ALLY HOGG PLUS ’S THE FRONT ROW AUTUMNALL-TIME NATIONS CUP XV 2020 1 #AsOne The list of contents in the full Issue #1 of “The Front Row” are listed below. If you like what you see in this sample and want to see the full edition, please SIGN UP FOR and buy a NEVIS or a MACDUI membership now.

Cummings of Age 5 Second-row Scott Cummings is part of a youthful stable of players in the Scotland ranks Gregor Townsend’s All-time XV 16 Scotland’s Head Coach names a Fantasy XV comprising those he faced in his international career Darcy Raring To Go 25 winger Darcy Graham fit and firing ahead of Autumn Internationals Bryan Easson 29 The Scotland Women Head Coach on a busy time for the national team Ally Hogg 33 The Former Scotland back-row is excited about the current generation Victory in 2002 39 A look back at Scotland’s last win in with Chris Paterson Nine of the Times 47 Ex-skipper Mike Blair talks about some of the best scrum-halves he came up against CONTENTS

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2 LEADERSHIP . ENGAGEMENT . ACHIEVEMENT . ENJOYMENT . RESPECT THE FRONT ROW 2020 3 DARCY RARING TO GO Now 11 Test matches into his international career, Darcy Graham is champing at the bit to add to a tally that has already reaped five tries for Scotland and taken in a as well as that pulsating draw against the Auld Enemy at Twickenham in 2019. The flyer, 23, missed “It’s been pretty strange but I haven’t the opening four rounds of Scotland’s actually missed that much rugby due to 2020 Guinness Six Nations campaign after what’s happened,” he explained. “I missed suffering a knee injury in the lead up to that four international games but not much championship, but is fully recovered and more than that because of lockdown. I just ready to make up for lost time during this spent the few months we had getting my Autumn’s return of international rugby. body ready to go for when we were allowed to get back to full training. The global pandemic has meant that the -born winger can still hope to feature in the final round of Six Nations fixtures in Scotland’s game in Wales, against whom he made his bow in 2018. A friendly with Georgia and four Autumn Nations Cup It was nice to have some time off to rest fixtures mean that over the course of seven myself but things have come thick and weeks, no fewer than six Tests will be played, “ giving ample opportunity for Graham and fast since things started up again the rest of the squad to impress. with Edinburgh.

“I would say I’ve been pretty sharp and it hasn’t taken loads of time to get up to speed again – I would say that compared to a year ago, I’m in better shape because we’ve already had to play a few games [Edinburgh returned to PRO14 duty on 22 August].” With a number of competitive club games under players’ belts since that August resumption, the prospect of returning to the international stage is one that naturally excites, although the absence of a full Graham bagged a brace of tries AVAILABLE NOW AT SHOP.SCOTTISHRUGBY.ORG in the remarkable 38-38 draw at house of spectators is an aspect Graham is Twickenham in 2019 desperate to see the back of. OR AT THE OFFICIAL SCOTTISH RUGBY STORE, BT MURRAYFIELD 0131 346 5044 OR AT THE OFFICIAL SCOTTISH RUGBY STORE, 44 QUEEN STREET - G1 3DX

4 LEADERSHIP . ENGAGEMENT . ACHIEVEMENT . ENJOYMENT . RESPECT THE FRONT ROW AUTUMN NATIONS CUP 2020 5 He added: “It’s weird playing without any fans; I find it horrible. I’m more than ready to get back to normal sooner rather than later and get supporters back because they make such a difference and we’re missing them big time.

Although it’s not the “same, you know that people are watching

at home and cheering In action against during a 2019 Rugby World Cup warm-up at you on. BT Murrayfield

“I tend to keep off social media as best I since,” he said. “The time has flown by. It can because everyone has an opinion on was a highlight for me, playing at my first there, so I don’t dive too much into that, but World Cup in pretty exotic surroundings, knowing how much the fans support us is with a different culture. The conditions obviously something I’m very much aware were obviously very different to what of and appreciate.” we’re used to with the humidity, so it was Hailing from the rugby hot bed of Hawick, tough. The game I remember being Graham is acutely aware of how much extremely hot – not quite what we’re used positivity is brought to people’s lives by to in Scotland at this time of year!” playing and watching the game, having The weather may not be quite as tropical starred for his hometown club before in the coming months compared to what breaking through into the professional the squad experienced in 2019, but with a game. He added: “Sport is huge in general, fit and firing Darcy Graham back to bolster no matter which one it is. Not being able to the ranks, Scotland will be hoping to bring go and watch a game of rugby, no matter some rays of sunshine back to supporters if that’s international games or down your after a year like no other. local club, is so difficult so the sooner we can have that back the better it’ll be for everyone.” It’s hard to believe that a year has passed since Scotland were featuring on the biggest rugby stage of all at the Rugby World Cup, in front of tens of thousands of spectators and millions of viewers on television - an experience that Scotland’s diminutive wing already ranks as a career highlight. “It’s crazy that that’s a year since we went to Japan and everything that’s happened Notching against Georgia in 2019 @TennentsLager

TENNENT’S AND THE RED T ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF THE C&C GROUP 6 LEADERSHIP . ENGAGEMENT . ACHIEVEMENT . ENJOYMENT . RESPECT THE FRONT ROW AUTUMN NATIONS CUP 2020 7 ALLY HOGG When Scotland travel to face Wales for their final 2020 Guinness Six Nations match on 31 October, it will be the first time the fixture has been played outside or Edinburgh since 1998, when the sides met at on account of the being built. Since Wales moved into their stunning Taylor, Jason White, and Ally 74,500 capacity home at the turn of the Strokosch, he thinks the current cohort century, Scotland have only tasted victory have lots to offer, with Head Coach Gregor on one occasion but for those that have Townsend enjoying the relative luxury of sampled the spectacular arena, the drama having plenty of options in that area of of the occasion lives long in the memory. the pitch. “It was phenomenal, more than 70,000 people at the Millennium Stadium with my mum, dad and Papa, and my now wife in attendance,” Ally Hogg recalled. “It was just unreal and the stuff dreams are made of. If my debut wasn’t to be at Murrayfield, then Scotland have always been fortunate to that’s the next best stadium to do it in. “have a good back-row selection through “I think not having a crowd to lift the Welsh the ages, not just in my time and it’s the team might serve as a positive for Scotland at Parc Y in the upcoming match, same now. but on the flip side it’s a real shame for the sport, because that’s one of rugby’s great “Scotland have always been fortunate to theatres to play and be involved in.” have a good back-row selection through the ages, not just in my time and it’s the same Hogg won 48 caps in the Scottish back-row now,” added the former Edinburgh star. after that 2004 debut in Cardiff, notching “It’s always been very competitive and at no fewer than ten Test tries in the process. the moment, you’ve got and Featuring in lauded -winning Hamish Watson, obviously Magnus squads alongside the likes of Simon

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J4645 Scotish_Rugby_programme advert_2020_v2_outlines.indd 1 06/10/2020 16:36 If you’ve played The National There won’t be the same cacophonous atmospheres during the end-of-year fixture Lottery, you’ve supported list in 2020, but Hogg thinks the very nature rugby across Scotland. of pulling on the jersey serves as inspiration enough, saying: “Although I didn’t get on in the end, I was on the bench for what would have been my first cap against USA in San Francisco in 2002 [Scotland won 65- 23]. There were maybe 1,500 people in the THANK YOU stadium, but the fact guys were playing for Every week, National Lottery players raise an amazing their country is the thing that matters. £30 million for good causes, including rugby. Hogg scored a hat-tick of tries in the “You create your own atmosphere, look to against your senior players to create that intensity By buying a National Lottery ticket, you have supported [Bradbury] has done well, but there are and buzz around the team and on the pitch, rugby across the country, creating opportunities for lots of options there and that’s what drives so it’ll be up to the leaders of the team to get everyone to get involved in the sport. players to perform at their best. everyone up for the game beforehand and during. Sometimes in a game, crowds can “I haven’t seen an awful lot of Nick [Haining] www.sportscotland.org.uk give you a lift if there’s a bit of a lull, so that’s but I’ve spoken to some of the coaches at something that’ll be needed this autumn.” Edinburgh and they’re impressed by him; he’s a bit of a specimen isn’t he?” Like all keen rugby followers the world over, Hogg thinks that by sport just returning, As Scotland prepare to face Wales for their people will be given a boost at a time where final 2020 Guinness Six Nations fixture we are being asked to live our lives in an as part of a busy autumn schedule, Hogg unfamiliar way, adding: “There are various reckons the squad will be aiming to kick restrictions across the country, so having on after some encouraging signs earlier in sport gives people something to look the year. He explained: “There was a bit of forward to. You could see the lift that came pressure, so beating Italy and France would from the national team playing football have given the team confidence ahead recently and it’ll be the same for rugby even of the Wales game. In theory, Scotland if things do look a little different this year.” have an outside chance of winning the championship, so it was a shame to see things cut short. The team were starting to play better and both Pro teams were doing well.

Of course, a bit of time “has passed since then so I don’t think you can read too much into what happened back in

February and March. In action against South Africa

10 LEADERSHIP . ENGAGEMENT . ACHIEVEMENT . ENJOYMENT . RESPECT THE FRONT ROW AUTUMN NATIONS CUP 2020 11 THE MITSUBISHI SUV RANGE THE ULTIMATE FRONT 3 SCOTLAND WOMEN READY FOR BUSY SCHEDULE

For most people, lockdown was a chance to binge endless series on Netflix and practise baking skills. But for Interim Scotland Women Coach, Bryan Easson, it was the perfect opportunity to network and engage with other coaches and sports ahead of a busy end to the calendar year. I made some really good contacts. That’s the great thing about rugby. You make a lot of friends and a lot of contacts over the years of playing and coaching.” The squad have hit the ground running in their recent camps, and Easson is quick to pay tribute to the hard work and efforts of his players and backroom staff who have exceeded expectations with their individual preparation over the lockdown period.

“I watched so much rugby over the lockdown Our camps have gone really well so far. The period it’s frightening” he laughed. “It’s players have exceeded expectations considering important that we stay ahead of the curve “they haven’t played since the 10th of February. and when you’re watching games you’re looking at how you can change the game. Mitsubishi Motors - Proud Partner of Scottish Rugby I don’t want to think about us playing the “We were in camp ahead of the France game game a certain way because everyone else in March but obviously that was called off The Mitsubishi range is ready to play on any surface, in any conditions. Driven by powerful plays that way. the night before we were due to play so that 4WD systems the Eclipse Cross, Outlander PHEV and Shogun Sport are equally at home on was the last time we saw each other before the road, or on a field a little closer to home. “I did a lot of personal development as well. I lockdown.” had numerous Zoom calls with people from “A lot of work was done behind the scenes Fuel economy and CO₂ results for the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross / MPG (l/100km) (combined): 32.5 (8.7) to 37.7 (7.5) / CO₂ emissions: 196 - 170 g/km. all different walks of life. I was speaking to Fuel economy and CO₂ results for the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV / MPG (l/100km) (weighted combined): 139.7 (2.0) / Electric energy consumption (weighted coaches in the men’s and women’s game, pre-lockdown and Allan MacDonald combined): 3.68 miles/kWh / CO₂ emissions (weighted): 46 g/km / Equivalent all-electric range: 28 miles. coaches from , New Zealand, [strength and conditioning coach] created Fuel economy figures for the Mitsubishi Shogun Sport / MPG (l/100km): Urban 27.2 (10.4), extra-urban 37.2 (7.6), combined 32.8 (8.6) / * CO₂ emissions: 227 g/km. France, Ireland and also people in business. training programmes for the players. Since Figures shown are for comparability purposes; only compare fuel consumption and CO₂ figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including the accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load. Outlander PHEV figures were obtained using a combination of battery power and fuel. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a plug-in hybrid vehicle requiring mains electricity for charging. *There is a new test for fuel consumption and CO₂ figures. The figures shown however were achieved using the outgoing test procedure. 12 LEADERSHIP . ENGAGEMENT . ACHIEVEMENT . ENJOYMENT . RESPECT THE FRONT ROW AUTUMN NATIONS CUP 2020 13 August, the home-based players came back against France and we will also face some to training in their regions and then we’ve Celtic flair against Wales away. The fact that had two weekend camps with everyone we have the mix of those teams has been a back together.” real positive for us ahead of the World Cup qualifiers in December. Scotland get underway at the end of October as they take on France at Scotstoun, We’ve done a lot of work on those teams before facing Wales the following week. anyway as we were due to play them earlier in Their final Six Nations game sees the side travel to Parma at the start of December the year but we’ve done more now and maybe to play against Italy – a match which will changed a couple of things. double up as a repechage as part of the “We’ve“ been really lucky to have these two qualification process for next year’s Rugby games, but also a good enough break to be World Cup. able to rest for the World Cup qualifiers. “We will be going up against two very Obviously having the World Cup qualifiers different opponents in the next few weeks. at the end of this block is the main focus We will have a tough physical home game for us.”

Rachel Malcolm ONES TO WATCH

Specialists in Ahead of some pivotal international fixtures this autumn, we take a look at some of the Scotland Women squad who will be aiming to Hannah Smith Constructive Solutions contribute to a memorable few months. Rachel Malcolm the pitch. With 43 caps to her name, the Fosroc, a leading international manufacturer and supplier Scotland skipper Malcolm has provided an experienced no.8 will be looking to test of high performance chemicals for the construction excellent depth of leadership on and off the resolve of the opposition’s defence. the pitch since being appointed captain industry, are proud to be supporting grass roots rugby Lana Skeldon in 2019. The flanker will be looking to The hooker has always been formidable in Scotland. continue her dominant performances in force in the front-row and has notched up Jade Konkel defence in the upcoming matches. 28 points so far in her career. Skeldon’s The Fosroc represents the Hannah Smith work ethic and determination continues to nation’s most promising male and female rugby The Hillhead Jordanhill centre is a stand out in her performances, as she aims players, with a national academy structure designed to constant threat whenever she has to reach her 40th cap in the upcoming Six give Scotland’s young rugby stars a pathway into the possession of the ball and will be aiming Nations fixtures. to bring her attacking flair to the games. professional game. Megan Gaffney Smith had an impressive outing against The winger has a wealth of international Lana Skeldon in January in which she evaded experience having also played in numerous defenders from deep within the Scotland 7s set-up. Power, guile her own territory to sprint across the pitch and enthralling turns of pace are key and score. components of Gaffney’s game and she Jade Konkel will be looking for any opportunity to The abrasive ball carrier is always a force outwit the defence. to be reckoned with whenever she is on Megan Gaffney www.fosroc.com constructive solutions THE FRONT ROW AUTUMN NATIONS CUP 2020 15 MIKE BLAIR NINE OF THE TIMES

Scotland’s most-capped scrum- half, Mike Blair, represented his country 85 times between 2002 and 2012, playing at three Rugby World Cups and gaining selection for the successful 2009 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia. A stellar career saw him captain his country on fourteen occasions, score seven international tries and gain a nomination for IRB World Player of the Year in 2008.

After retiring from the game in 2016, Mike Blair in action for Scotland he became Assistant Coach at Glasgow against New Zealand Warriors before taking on a similar role with Scotland, under Gregor Townsend. got asked what position we wanted to play and because my Dad had played scrum-half We caught up with him to discuss some of for Edinburgh Accies I thought ‘yeah I’ll try the heady names he faced on Scotland duty that’ and it started from there. and what they offered as opponents over his decade in international rugby. “And so when Gary Armstrong was really at the peak of his powers, that’s when I really GARY ARMSTRONG took inspiration. I actually played against him a few times when I was breaking through at Edinburgh and he’d come back to the Border Reivers after playing for Newcastle. I remember there was a The player that really photocall at Murrayfield where they wanted influenced me from to have the pair of us standing nose-to- “ nose, just staring at one another. that sort of era was “It was really awkward because we weren’t Gary Armstrong. chatting yet we couldn’t have been any closer. But it was great fun playing against “When I was growing up, he was my sort of him and I’m pretty sure I took a few sly digs I guess, in terms of who I wanted in the ribs at the breakdown as a welcome to be. I remember in primary school, sitting from him!” at the front of the class legs crossed and we

THE FRONT ROW AUTUMN NATIONS CUP 2020 17 NOTABLE MENTIONS “ was class, very different to say the abrasive Mike Phillips, but I rated the pair of them highly. Peel was just a natural while Phillips used what he was good at physically. I was on that Lions tour in 2009 with Phillips and and they both played well enough for me to not get a look- in for a Test cap, although I didn’t play well on that tour and only had myself to blame Gary Armstrong and in action for that. The two French ones that stand out would “I remember running as opposition once JOOST VAN DER WESTHUIZEN be Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, who played a for Scotland and myself, and similar type of game to me, bringing others Gordon Ross and the drill was called the Stop into the game at first receiver as well, and drill, all about how to defend , who I think had the best him at the breakdown. So I had to try and attacking short kicking game of anyone in mimic Matt as best I could – it was actually I came off the bench in the past 20 years. one of the best sessions I ever had – and we 2003 before the World ended up making three line breaks against “And was someone I never “ enjoyed playing against. He was a real try- Cup that year, and I can’t seven defenders within the first few plays. hard and constantly there, in your face, “He was coming towards the end of his remember if he was still annoying you – in a nice way, of course, career when I faced him and although he because it was Cus. We both had times on at the time but he was wasn’t quite at the 2003 levels he’d reached, of being first choice for Scotland over the he was still such a canny player.” one of the eye-catching years and dovetailed well over the years. names. SCOTLAND’S “The ages when I was most influenced by SCRUM-HALF STABLE rugby, at nine to 17, the players from that era were the ones who inspired me to play. “I think Ali in particular got a lot of confidence from Greig not being there. I’d watched Living with Lions in 97 and kind Before, when he had started ahead of of liked him because his passing wasn’t Greig, Ali would have been looking over particularly good and I always liked the his shoulder a bit and it’s maybe similar fact that he was a world class scrum-half now with him and George Horne. who couldn’t really pass, so it gave hope to “Greig was a big leader of that squad those in the same boat!” and through him no longer being a part of that, both Ali and George will have to MATT DAWSON develop that side of their game as well as compete for the jersey. They will have “Street smart is a good description for Matt. learned a huge deal from Greig though If you look at the individual components of and will no doubt use some of the things his game, he probably wasn’t amazing at any they picked up from him. one thing, but he used game management to “Ali’s done really well in being picked his advantage. He was a world class player throughout the 2020 Six Nations and without having some of those stand-out George is snapping at his heels, so that’s Mike Blair and traits, if that makes sense. great from a Scotland point of view.”

18 LEADERSHIP . ENGAGEMENT . ACHIEVEMENT . ENJOYMENT . RESPECT THE FRONT ROW AUTUMN NATIONS CUP 2020 19 Best in the field

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