WAYSIDERS HOPE CALCUTTA HEROES CAN HELP INSPIRE MONKLANDS KIDS

Waysiders/Drumpellier hope that Scotland’s historic Six Nations victory over England will inspire the next generation of rugby stars in Monklands.

Under-21 representative Gerry Brankin at the Langloan club hopes fresh talent will break through after witnessing the 25-13 triumph at Murrayfield.

It is the first time the Scots have lifted the Calcutta Cup since 2008 – and Brankin believes more people will be willing to try out the sport after the heroics of Gregor Townsend’s men.

W/D, who this year mark the 25th anniversary of the amalgamation of Drumpellier Rugby Club and Waysiders Rugby Club, have been successful with their School of Rugby at Coatbridge High which involves over 50 youngsters - alongside their other work with the SRU.

The coach hopes to see an influx of new high school recruits to build on their strong foundations - as well as youngsters who just want to try rugby for the first time.

“We hope that people will see that and get a bit of inspiration,”he told the Advertiser.

“It’s been 10 years since we last beat England so hopefully people will see that as a bit of history and decide to give rugby a chance.

“We operate on a system where we give people a month free of charge to see if they like it; that way there is nothing lost and you might gain something you really enjoy.

“I would just say to people to come along and try it.

“Hopefully schools and kids that don’t play rugby see the result and think about giving us a chance.”