FROM THE SCOTSMAN

Hamilton grateful for chance to pull on Watsonians jersey




By David Ferguson
AT THIS time last year Jim Hamilton was preparing for his first Rugby World Cup match against Romania at Murrayfield, but the Scotland lock appeared as delighted yesterday by the prospect of hopping on to the Watsonians bus this morning for a first-ever trip to Ayr.

As part of the new draft system, the lock was snapped up by Watsonians in the summer – having moved from Leicester to Edinburgh – and will make his debut in Scottish rugby in today's eagerly-anticipated Scottish Hydro Electric Division One clash at Millbrae.

The 25-year-old with 16 caps was ranked among the top pros unlikely to play for clubs in the draft, but injury dictated otherwise as the point of the link-up between the professional sides and clubs was not only to encourage pros to involve themselves in club life but also to enable clubs to help injured pros back into the game.

Hamilton has been out since February, when he suffered a bad knee injury against Ireland in the RBS Six Nations Championship. Watsonians were delighted to welcome the 6ft 8in star along to club training on Thursday night, but the anticipation is clearly mutual.

"It's great to have a chance to get back playing again," said Hamilton, "and this kind of link enables me to get back in there as soon as I'm ready where I maybe would have to wait a bit longer to start Magners League games.

"I've often said before that I just enjoy playing rugby, wherever I play, so I had no hang-ups about coming along to Watsonians. I don't know what it will be like for me as I haven't played since Ireland game, and I don't know what to expect from the club game to be honest, though I've heard that Ayr have a reputation for being quite a formidable pack.

"But I'm really looking forward to it. I was very impressed by the quality of training at Watsonians on Thursday night, the physicality of it and the drills they did, and you can see the dedication there from the boys coming in straight from finishing work.

"It's quite different to what I've been used to for a few years now, but it's great to be involved. Donnie (Macfadyen, Watsonians forwards coach] had asked me if I would come along and help, maybe with lineouts and things, but to tell you the truth I was very impressed with their lineouts and I don't know if I could add anything."

Watsonians currently lead the table with bonus-point wins in their opening two games, but Ayr are also unbeaten in third and after revenge for losing this fixture last season. Elsewhere, Selkirk and Melrose meet at Philiphaugh in their first Division One derby for more than a decade.

Boroughmuir are bidding to get back to winning ways at home to Glasgow Hawks, Currie look to build on their defeat of 'Muir away to Edinburgh Accies, West of Scotland host Hawick and Heriots travel to Stirling County.

Hamilton may be experiencing less exalted travel, on the Watsonians team bus, to this time last year, but his desire to use the club game as a platform to Magners League action suggests a healthy respect for Scottish club rugby.

"I just want to play," he added. "Some guys might want to make a point by having a go at me, but I'd hope that many more will want to prove a point in the positive sense, on both sides, and maybe come away feeling that they competed with me and so can maybe make the same steps I did and be pros.

"It's part of a pro's job to help spread the word, speak with players and encourage them to make the most of their abilities. But, really, I'm just desperate to get back playing this weekend and helping Watsonians win."

This article was posted on 13-Sep-2008, 08:54 by Hugh Barrow.