It’s scrum twist of fate for Luke
From booting football into car park to starring with rugby one
Luke Crosbie developed a knack for finding the car park as less of a ballplaying centre-half and more of a blooter it one.
Now the Edinburgh man is looking to drive home how far he’s come with ball in hand rather than at his feet when the Six Nations curtain goes up in six days’ time.
Crosbie started his sporting journey as a “big skinny drip” playing centre-half ” – badly – with school pals in West Lothian.
Then a Saturday afternoon walk with his dad some 15 years ago led to a chance encounter and the start of a journey that has led him to the brink of being named in the Scotland team that’ll face England on Saturday at a packedout Twickenham.
Now the 25-year-old hopes his story can serve as inspiration to the next generation who haven’t come from a traditional rugby background.
The 6ft 5ins back rower said: “Growing up in Mid Calder, I played football just because all the boys at school played but I wasn’t any good at it. In fact, I was rubbish.
“I played centre- half and used to just boot the ball. It could go anywhere … usually into the car park!
“Then one day I was out for a walk with my dad and we stumbled across Livingston Rugby Club. There was a senior game on. I didn’t really know what it was and my dad didn’t really know much about rugby.
“He used to watch the Scotland games but in terms of him growing up in North Lanarkshire and the Uddingston area, there wasn’t much rugby there.
“So I said I wanted to give it a try because it looked fun and that was it. Mum and dad were straight on the computer trying to find the number for Livingston and they phoned up to say I’m coming along to training.
“I was just a big skinny drip when I was that age but I liked the physical stuff, so I just threw myself into rugby and it’s gone well so far.”
Crosbie went from Livingston to Premiership outfit Currie Chieftains in his later teens, then signed his first senior deal with Edinburgh in December 2017.
His form this season has taken him to the precipice of a first Six Nations appearance but he hasn’t forgotten his roots.
Crosbie added: “It’s important for me to keep in contact with Livingston to make sure they’re still getting some exposure to rugby. I caught up with a few of them after the Zebre game recently and it puts the game g in perspective because b that’s what it’s it all about. It’s not about ab me, it’s about my family fa being able to see se this. And these young yo guys can come along al and actually see that th you can make a living li out of playing rugby, ru which some people p back home don’t d even realise.”