EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS REPORTS
Dad's Army service
BILL LOTHIAN
AS Edinburgh Rugby prepare to play a 50th match in the European Cup against Toulouse at Murrayfield on Saturday it should come as no surprise that their opening venture - a trip to Bath in 1996 - was recalled today as having a direct link with Dad's Army.

As the players of nine years ago mingled with their opponents in the clubhouse afterwards it was noted by one member of the official party, prop forward Grant Wilson, that looking down on proceedings was a photograph of one of the cast from the popular television comedy based on civil defence corps - namely Arnold Ridley, otherwise known as Private Godfrey.


Ridley was a past president of Bath RFC and in terms of preparation the club he attached himself to were sufficiently organised to have already mounted a raid into rugby league for talent. Edinburgh on the other hand were a side relatively thrown together in the early days of professionalism, meeting rivals who played together week in, week out, SAS combat troops compared to Home Guardsmen.

But it speaks volumes for the pride and commitment of our rugby Edinbourgeoisie that they were to face up to these insurmountable odds, going down only 26-55 and hitting back hard in the closing stages.

Nevertheless, Edinburgh were totally under-prepared. Flanker Bruce Ward, of Currie, admitted: "One of my memories was of the coaches doing their level best to try to make us feel and act as professional as our opponents but with nothing like the experience.

"This extended to buying £1.99 kagoules for us to wear to the game which served only to highlight the differences when the Bath players turned up in their state-of-the-art uniforms."

And prop forward Barry Stewart recalled this journey into the unknown had a false start.

"At one point early in the weekend our bus crashed into a stationary car but such was the urgency that forwards coach Ian Barnes told the bus driver that it could be sorted out later - or else the driver could stay behind and he'd take the wheel himself - because we needed to be at the ground pronto."

Such was the spirit of adventure in the Edinburgh team that the effects of mixing with high-profile rivals was to imbue nobody more than No.8 Dave Clark.

"If that European Cup trip to Bath was the start for me then the roller-coaster has never stopped because from also facing the likes of Dax in France that first season I got the travel bug using rugby as a vehicle," says Clark who has landed up in Abu Dhabi after a spell living in Australia from where he toured Canada with the New South Wales Country XV.

Clark added: "If it hadn't been for Edinburgh and the European Cup I might never have developed wanderlust. There's a lot for me to be grateful for especially having just helped the Gulf States XV to a World Cup qualifying win over China that has put us into play-offs with Japan and Korea as the next step of our quest to reach the tournament proper in 2007."

If that happens, then Clark (ex-Royal High, Stewart's/Melville and Currie) could eventually face Scotland although he is as realistic about that prospect as he was in absorbing the lessons of Bath, 1996.

"As I recalled with ex-Edinburgh colleague Derrick Lee last week, when he flew over to play in the Dubai sevens tournament, facing the likes of Jeremy Guscott, Jason Robinson and Henry Paul taught us everything about the need to prepare thoroughly."

Indeed, from small beginnings, Edinburgh can now claim the Euro scalps of four teams who have taken the title - Wasps, Ulster, Northampton and Saturday's rivals Toulouse (two years ago.) So where was the turning point? Scrum half Graeme Burns is in no doubt, saying: "We were really taken by the strength and physique of Bath so much so that it was only when Edinburgh appointed Ken Macewen as fitness and conditioning coach that the tide began to turn helped by going full-time."

As for Private Godfrey, what would he have made of the Warminister-on-Sea Militia being turned into a commando force?

Perhaps, though, the biggest change lies in the fact that Wilson, who noticed the actor's portrait, had been taken to Bath as a gesture to compensate for the disappointment of having to retire due to knee ligament damage a few months earlier and after sterling service to the district team.

Such sentiment is a rarity these days, although the rugby really is different class - mainly thanks to the European Cup whose organisers will give Edinburgh an Elite Award enabling them to join fellow half centurions Toulouse, Munster, Llanelli, Leicester, Leinster, Ulster, Cardiff and Stade Francais.

EDINBURGH'S EUROPEAN PIONEERS

Derrick Lee: After 27 European Cup outings and nine Scotland caps was forced to retire at the end of last season. Recently was able to play social sevens in Dubai.

Steven Reed: Recalls being told by coaches his task was not to let Jason Robinson score "And you know what I succeeded - for 60 minutes anyway," says the Edinburgh CID officer.

Scott Hastings: Captained the side at the start of the European adventure and went on to become Scotland's cap record holder for a spell. Now a commentator with Sky Sports.

Chris Simmers: After a spell working in Australia now believed to be back living in Edinburgh.Chris returned to Anniesland in 1997 and was a member of Hawks League/Cup winning side of 1997-98

Stuart Lang: Now living in Newcastle after injury wrecked the final part of his career with Heriot's.

Duncan Hodge: The remaining Edinburgh link between the inaugural Bath fixture and the present. Returned to the Gunners at the start of the season having had a two-year spell with Leeds Tykes. Capped 25 times and Edinburgh's top Euro scorer with 221 points from 29 appearances.

Graeme Burns: Went on to gain four caps as well as make 26 European Cup appearances. Retired a couple of years ago to return to work as a farmer. Now helps coach Murrayfield Wanderers.

Alan Watt: Had a spell with Currie. Believed to be living in the Stirling area.

Graham Ellis: Used the match as a stepping stone to gaining four caps in 1997. Now works as a PE teacher at Stewart's-Melville.

Barry Stewart: Pensioned off after injury following the last of his six caps in 2000. After seeking further medical advice has revived career with Sale Sharks.

Paul Jennings: Living in San Diego where he was selected for USA "A" against Russia. Now coaching Stanford University after retiring from playing last year.

Andy Lucking: Played with Edinburgh at Euro level into this decade, taking his appearances to 12. Injury forced his retirement. Now concentrates on his career as a doctor.

Bruce Ward: Described by Barry Stewart as 'the hard guy from Currie' which just about fits the bill for this West Lothian policeman. Still involved with rugby as coach of Currie colts.

Dave Clark: Enjoying a halcyon period having captained the Arabian Gulf side recently against China as part of a determined bid to qualify for the 2007 World Cup. Works as director of a management company in Abu Dhabi.

Graham Dall: Retired when on the brink of a full international cap to concentrate on medical career.

Substitutes: Nick Penny, Ally Donaldson, Graeme Beveridge, Cammy Mather, Ross McNulty and Grant McKelvey

This article was posted on 9-Dec-2005, 08:53 by Hugh Barrow.