Capital return is winner for Rory

FORMER Scotland scrum-half Rory Lawson will return to the place where it all began for him tonight as the famous Barbarians take on his old side Heriot’s at Goldenacre. With both clubs celebrating their 125th anniversaries this year, BT Premiership finalists Heriot’s persuaded the Baa-baas — who are made up of players from all over the world — to travel to the capital for the glamour fixture. And when Lawson, who led Heriot’s to Scottish Cup glory in 2003 before embarking on a professional career, was asked to be involved as team manager of the all-star select side, he jumped at the chance. The 34-year-old revealed: ‘What a night it promises to be. When I joined Heriot’s after I finished school at Dollar Academy, I was amazed by the talent that was around at the time. ‘There were players like Gordon Ross and Simon Taylor at Goldenacre and, as a young scrum-half coming into senior rugby, I had some really talented backs outside me, so they made my job easy. ‘I loved playing at Goldenacre as the pitch suits a running type of game and I expect there to be plenty of tries in this match.’ With the pro season around Europe still ongoing, it may have been hard for the Barbarians to get players released for this one, but it says something about the draw of the famous old club that they have managed to put a strong squad together. They will be coached by Sean Lineen, while former Scotland caps Gordon Ross and Bruce Douglas — who both had stints at Heriot’s — are included in the 22-man party. Others to keep an eye on include Edinburgh Rugby duo Cornell du Preez and Grayson Hart, along with Glasgow Warriors young scrum-half Ali Price and Newcastle Falcons Scotland cap Scott MacLeod. Meanwhile, in his current role as a television pundit, Lawson has been impressed by both Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby. ‘Glasgow are now one of the top sides in the Pro12,’ he said. ‘They are consistently challenging for the top four and on their day when they get things right, some of the rugby they play is brilliant,’ he said. ‘Edinburgh have been up and down, but the core of their squad is getting stronger.’ Tickets will be available at the gate for tonight’s match.