Blair's bold Baa-Baas prediction
Wed, 27 Feb 2008 11:28
Scotland captain Mike Blair admits he is looking forward to watching Edinburgh Academicals take on Barbarians, as part of the club's 150th anniversary celebrations, on Wednesday April 9, because he has incredibly strong affinity with the club.
The 26-year-old scrumhalf spent two seasons at Accies, following in the footsteps of his father, Robert, who captained the team in the 1970s and the family tradition has been upheld this season when his younger brother David turned out for one of the oldest clubs in Scotland.
As a result, Blair is plotting to return to the venue where he first learned about the game to watch another important event in Scottish rugby unfold when the Baa-Baas come to town in April.
"I first played mini rugby at Edinburgh Accies when I was a child on a Sunday having watched the club game there on a Saturday, so it is a club that is very close to my heart." Blair said.
"My Dad captained Accies and David
has also played for them, so there is a strong family connection. It was there that I first really started to like the game and I think I received a top-class rugby education from watching and playing matches there.
"When I was growing up, Accies had a number of internationals at the time; guys like David Sole and Scott Murray.
"Guys like that played there week in, week out, so it was a nice atmosphere to watch rugby.
"Edinburgh Accies have played a hugely influential role in not only the start of rugby in Scotland, but also in the development of the game and district and international players over the past 150 years.
"The Barbarians game will be a fitting way to celebrate the anniversary and I am looking forward to being there."
Edinburgh Rugby Club chief executive Nic Cartwright revealed he was pleased to highlight the history of rugby in the city and help the oldest club in Scotland
celebrate such a monumental event.
Cartwright said: "Edinburgh Academicals are a club steeped in history and it is fantastic that we have an opportunity to help them celebrate their anniversary with the match against the Barbarians.
"It is certainly one of the most eye-catching fixtures on the rugby calendar here in Edinburgh and something we are pleased to be a part of."
