KINGHORN HAS NO FEAR OF WELSH CAULDRON
Scotland looked like rabbits caught in headlights when they last played in Cardiff, writes Alan Shaw.
That was in February’s 6 Nations opener when the less-experienced members of Gregor Townsend’s team seemed stunned by the ferocious atmosphere inside the Principality Stadium.
Blair Kinghorn didn’t play in the heavy defeat, but he knows what to expect in the famous bearpit when the Dark Blues head down there for next Saturday’s first autumn Test.
“I was there as 24th man. It was a brilliant experience, my first taste of that in an away game,” recalls the 21-year-old.
“It was a really disappointing result, but a good experience to be in with the team, doing the warm-up and seeing what it’s like on matchday in an international set-up.
“Once the roof’s shut, it’s a pretty intimidating place. But It’s a great stadium, the noise is unbelievable and the atmosphere is brilliant.
“It’s places like that you want to go to play rugby. When we went to Thomond Park in Lemrick with Edinburgh, it was much the same.
“It’s a cauldron, a tough place to go.
“But that’s where you want to go and challenge yourself as a team.
“At the Principality, you try to talk to people in the warm-up and you can’t really hear them.
“It wasn’t the result we were looking for. We’re looking to put the wrongs right when we go down there on Saturday.” Kinghorn isn’t fazed at the thought of taking over the No15 jersey from Scotland’s most-feted player, the injured Stuart Hogg.
He says: “I’ve not thought too much about it. There are lots of talented backthree players here so anyone can slot into that 15 role.”