Scotland rugby stars visit Oban
‘It was great to have someone of Chris Paterson’s stature at the club, passing on his coaching and playing experience’
THEY say good luck comes in threes, which will ring true for rugby fans from Oban as three of the game’s biggest stars visit the town in the space of a fortnight.
Chris Paterson, who is Scotland’s most- capped player and the nation’s record points holder, was at Oban Lorne Rugby club last Thursday for a training session.
Now retired, Paterson was on hand to pass on his knowledge of the game at the highest level, with his appearance attracting 40 local players from ages ranging from 15 to 50-plus. The training session was organised by Oban Lorne player/coach, Tommy Sutherland.
Allan Wright, who is Argyll and Bute’s rugby development officer, and plays for Oban Lorne, said: ‘It was great to have someone of Chris’s stature at the club, passing on his coaching and playing experience.
‘It was really positive because our pre-season started a month ago and we had about 15 to 20 bodies, but on Thursday we had around 40. I think the numbers show that perhaps there is scope for two rugby teams in the town. If you could pick two teams, I don’t doubt they’d both be full of good players.
‘Perhaps a feeder team, which could develop our younger players and give our older guys a game too would be something the club could look into in the future.’
Jason White, who captained Scotland 19 times, will be in Oban today (Thursday), Friday and Saturday, between 7pm and 9pm, to hold more special training sessions at Lorne’s ground.
Starstruck
Meanwhile, junior players will be feeling starstruck on Monday, August 3, as Oban welcomes one of Scotland’s best players of the past ten years for a training camp.
Alastair Kellock will be at Oban Lorne rugby club for the Glasgow Warriors camp, which provides coaching and activities on Monday, August 3.
Kellock, 34, will be on hand to show off the Guinness Pro12 trophy, which Glasgow Warriors won back in May, beating Munster. The win was the first ever for a Scottish side and was Kellock’s final game for the club, retiring at the end of the season.
Kellock, who was capped 56 times for Scotland, said: ‘ The camp will give the children the opportunity to access some top quality coaching and see the trophy.
‘I’ve played in Oban before and have played against the team at the Allan Glen’s rugby tournament in the past, so I know a few of the guys.
‘ We really want to build on the success of the win, which is the biggest in Scottish rugby union history. Hopefully it influences and improves rugby at grassroots level.’
The rugby camp programme is aimed at primary four to under-15 age groups, and provides structured activities, utilising the experienced and qualified coaches from the Glasgow Warriors community coaching team.
For more information, including how to book a place, visit: www. eticketing. co. uk/ scottishrugby/ details/event
This Saturday’s pre-season games see Oban Lorne take on Murrayfield Wanderers, with Argyll and Bute meeting Aberfeldy RFC.
Both games are at Glencruitten, with kick- off at 2pm.