Crosbie still young and not fazed by competition for places from internationals

Edinburgh coach Richard Cockerill spoke earlier in the week about how some off-field issues with back-row players this season have simply served to present opportunities for others and few epitomise that more than Luke Crosbie.

Just turned 20, the academy loose forward has made seven appearances this season and is hoping for an eighth this Saturday when Edinburgh host London Irish in the European Challenge Cup.

Cockerill has spoken highly of the lad from Mid-calder, who started playing at Livingston RFC before moving to Currie, and hasn’t hesitated to throw him in at the deep end.

“It has been really quick,” said the flanker. “Looking back, I have seven caps at a pro level. When I came back from the under-20s [World Cup] in the summer I thought it might take me a while to even train with the pros. Since my first game [against Zebre in October] I have just worked hard. Cockers says ‘if you work hard then you get to play’ so from a young academy boy perspective that is what you want. It doesn’t matter how many caps you have or your name, if you work hard, you will get a chance. If you had asked me in the summer if by now I would have one appearance then I would have said ‘no chance’.”

It is a daunting prospect when a teenager finds themselves in a training environment with a senior squad packed with internationals but Crosbie, pictured, has quickly found his feet. “To be honest everyone has been helpful,” he said. “I was a bit worried thinking ‘where do I sit in the changing rooms?’ Trying not to annoy anyone.

“I remember in the pre-season camp in St Andrews sitting there with Ross Ford and talking through the game and he knows the game inside out and that was quite a big thing for me . I just try to grasp all the knowledge I can.”

Crosbie offers welcome versatility but sees his future as the blindside flanker position.

“I actually started off as a second row,” he added. “But realised I was quicker and could play back-row and have played mostly at six. I have played seven too, not much No 8, but feel I can play across the back row.”

Back-row competition at Edinburgh is already fierce and, with John Barclay arriving next season, that will continue but Crosbie views having such high-quality team-mates a help and not a hindrance.

“I don’t focus on anyone else, although I have got internationals around me and I have learnt a lot from them,” he said.

“I just try to have the mindset that I want to learn as much as I can from everyone. I just focus hard at training and building my skills and then working hard in the gym and, if the chance comes on the pitch, I have to take it. I just want to make myself better and whatever happens happens.”