Capital star wins Kiwi scholarship

HERIOT'S flanker Roddy Grant was today rewarded for battling back from a serious knee injury with a summer scholarship to play club rugby in New Zealand.

The 21-year-old, who is a member of the national academy and Scotland sevens squad, has been named as the latest recipient of the John Macphail scholarship, which sees him follow in the footsteps of the likes of John Barclay, who gained his first international caps this season.

Age-group internationalist Grant, who underwent reconstructive knee surgery at the start of the season to return to the international sevens circuit, will spend his summer at the Auckland University club.

Grandson of former Test referee Bob Burrell and nephew of 1977 Lions manager George Burrell, also a Test referee, Grant said: "This is amazing news to learn that I was lucky enough to be chosen for this scholarship. After a long, hard slog and disappointments with injury to have this on the horizon now is an unbelievable feeling."

Referring to predecessor Barclay, he added: "It puts it into perspective when you see what John has achieved. I know this scholarship will benefit me and I'm just so enthusiastic to get out there."

Auckland University's former players include Gavin Hastings when the full back stayed on in New Zealand for a spell following the 1987 World Cup.

Hastings said: "To play in New Zealand gives you an insight into their culture and you quickly learn just how intense their rugby is.

"John Barclay clearly learned just what is required if you want to perform well and I wish Roddy all the best and hope he benefits as much from the opportunity."

Stephen Gemmell, National Academy Manager, added: "We are delighted that Roddy has been chosen by our national academy and age-grade coaches as the recipient. We hope he will gain as much from the experiences as the previous recipients."

John Macphail, who died in 2004, won two caps for Scotland as a hooker against England in 1949 and South Africa in 1951. In his business career he was chief executive then chairman of the Edrington Group, a private company that is owned by the Robertson Trust.