I’d love to pull on my hero’s jersey
Edinburgh kid Matt out to challenge mentor Mark for starting slot after sealing pro deal
MATT CURRIE has revealed he is gunning for boyhood hero Mark Bennett’s jersey after signing his first senior contract with Edinburgh.
The 20-year-old made his debut for the club as an academy player last season and has been on the fringes this season.
He says Bennett helped him a lot as he rose through the ranks but he is determined to take the No.13 shirt away from the older man.
Currie said: “Mark has always been one I have looked up to. It’s funny. It was a bit surreal when I first came in.
“I was playing alongside him and playing against him but he’s been great as my role model and my mentor at the club. He has really helped me. He’s in top, top form at the moment.
“It’s just about learning from him. He has been great with me since I joined the club, helping me to analyse my game. And he pushes me to challenge myself and get better.”
Currie has played five times in all for Edinburgh but has had to be patient so far this season with the whole team – not just Bennett – on top form.
He will find out tomorrow if he is in the squad to play London Irish in Saturday’s Challenge Cup match.
“It was great getting those opportunities but Mark has been playing phenomenally and has had a big impact,” he added. “I know I need to wait for my opportunities.
“At the end of last season I got a few opportunities and hopefully this season I can get a few more. When they come, I just need to grab them with both hands.”
Edinburgh also announced yesterday that their ex-winger Mark Robertson is returning to the club as head of strength and conditioning. Robertson played for the team from 2007 to 2011, then became a sevens specialist.
Meanwhile, hooker Stuart McInally has been ruled out of the match at London Irish after injuring his neck in the win against Cardiff last Saturday.