Scott insists bigger is not always better in rugby

BIGGER is not always better, according to Matt Scott.

The way rugby has gone in recent years gives the distinct impression that bigger, bulkier players are far more suited to the sport, but Scott is quick to disagree.

The Edinburgh centre knows from personal experience that aspiring to put on more muscle isn’t necessarily the best way to improve as a top-class rugby player.

Last season, Scott was on the sidelines for a lengthy five months as a result of a concussion he picked up in his side’s clash with Toulon in the Champions Cup and being unable to play any competitive rugby meant he spent a considerable length of time in the gym. The result of lifting so many weights meant that his bodyweight skyrocketed to 110 kilograms.

“It’s a bit of a myth in rugby that the bigger you are, the better you are at winning collisions,” he said.

“When I was concussed last year, I was in the gym four or five times a week. I was running a lot as well, but I kept nudging the weight up. On paper you probably look like a better athlete because with 10 extra kilos my body fat was really low, I was running good speed times, but on the pitch I felt knackered all the time just dragging around so much extra weight.”

Scott’s training was tweaked and the result is a leaner player, weighing around 100kg, and one who is far happier with how he is playing.

“I’m feeling like I’m getting through a lot more work than I did over the last couple of seasons, and I’m really happy with physical shape I’m in,” he said.

Scott (inset) is hopeful his performances this season will result in him being recalled into the Scotland set-up. For now, though, he insists he is looking no further than tomorrow, when Edinburgh face Bordeaux-Begles at Murrayfield in their second Challenge Cup match of the campaign. Their win against Agen last weekend extended their record against French sides, with wins home and away against Toulon and Montpellier at home last season.

“I think the last couple of times we’ve played [French teams] we’ve just tried to keep the tempo high,” he said. “Historically, they are a big, heavy teams, and we try to move them around a bit.”