Hidalgo-Clyne is aiming high with Scarlets
HE was at one time thought of as the heir-apparent to Greig Laidlaw for the Scotland No9 jersey, before his career stalled as quickly as it had started.
Now Sam Hidalgo-Clyne believes both fatherhood and a fresh start with the Scarlets will help him finally get back on track.
It was in the 2015 Six Nations that he made his Scotland debut after a series of top performances for Edinburgh. Quick of both mind and feet, the scrum-half had made quite the impression since his graduation from the pro club’s academy in September 2013.
However, over the next three years, he failed to establish himself in the national squad, winning only 11 caps and falling behind the likes of Henry Pyrgos and Ali Price, although he did play three times for Gregor Townsend’s side during their recent summer tour.
His departure to Scarlets at the end of the season still came as a surprise to Edinburgh fans but he is determined to make his mark with the Welsh club — and insists becoming a dad for the first time could, in fact, be the springboard to success.
‘It has been a hectic summer, that is for sure, getting back from the Scotland tour and then packing up everything to start our new life in Wales,’ said Hidalgo-Clyne.
‘I would be kidding if I told you I wasn’t nervous about moving our whole lives down here, but rugby is a sport that gives you chances to go outside your comfort zone and I have done that.
‘For myself, (partner) Sarah-Jane and little Hugo (who is seven months old), everything is new, but we have settled in well.
‘Having Hugo changed my life for the better. I was 24 at the time and, like all young guys, was perhaps immersed in my rugby and could not always see the bigger picture. If I made a mistake in a game or was not involved, I would perhaps over-analyse it and dwell on it.
‘I still take rugby seriously, but I know it is not the be-all and end-all, so when I get home after training or a game, my focus immediately switches to being Hugo’s dad and helping Sarah-Jane.
‘I think fatherhood has changed me for the better and when I am relaxed I play my best rugby.’
Despite now being a dad, Hidalgo-Clyne admits going into training for the first day with the Scarlets last month did feel like being the new boy in class at school. ‘I had been at Edinburgh for so long that when new players came into the club, I was one of the ones welcoming them,’ he continued.
‘But this time it was different and I was feeling a bit sheepish as I headed to the first training session. The guys were brilliant with me, though, and I have found them a very easy bunch to get along with and already feel settled.
‘I want to get some friendlies under my belt now to get used to the tempo and style of play that the coaches want.’
Indeed, Hidalgo-Clyne admits it was the tempo and style of Scarlets’ play that persuaded him to make the move south.
‘The way that they play is excellent. They are a very ambitious group of players and the results over the last couple of seasons have been absolutely outstanding,’ he said.
‘I want to challenge myself and I just want to settle in as fast as I possibly can.
‘I really want to be part of a winning culture and hopefully I can bring a wee bit to the table and go one step further this time — I want to be winning trophies.’