Sound the Horne

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - MAY 25: Scotland Coach Pete Horne during the SRU Community Game Conference at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, on May 25, 2024, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group)

Prior to joining on a full-time basis, the Glasgow Warriors centurion had gained a wealth of experience working with the team during the Guinness Six Nations and 2023 Rugby World Cup.

The former Scotland international moved into his new role following a spell with Glasgow Warriors and Ayrshire Bulls.

“I’ve barley had a moment to think about it”, joked Pete.

“It’ll be three years come Christmas since I stopped playing. There are times where you get the itch but when you see the physicality and the intensity of the game, it gives you a gentle reminder of why you needed to go.

“It’s been a whirlwind three years. I’m still so close to it so I feel incredibly lucky to still get to enjoy the things that are so beautiful about the game without having to get beaten up in the same way.”

Pictured: Pete Horne during a Scottish Rugby Academy training session at Oriam, September 2024

It seemed as though coaching was written in the stars for Pete. As a youngster, Pete would help his mother, Hazel, when she was coaching tennis after school. Growing up, the multi-positional back player wanted to become a P.E teacher, briefly beginning studies at Murray House before his playing career took off.

“I always had my eye on moving into coaching. I’ve always been interested in the detail of how to break teams down, I see myself as a student of the game.

“As a player I was injured a fair bit, especially at the start of my career. Gregor [Townsend, Head Coach of Glasgow Warriors at the time] was brilliant in those times. It can often be isolating and lonely when you’re injured so he was always looking for a way to keep me involved in the game. Sometimes I would review training sessions for guys who weren’t in the match day squad or would review an opposition, pull together a presentation, I was always picking up bits and pieces.”

As he reflects back on his playing days, the year 2018 sticks out for many reasons: Scotland’s first Calcutta Cup victory in eight years and the birth of his daughter just a few weeks after facing the Springboks at Murrayfield, the last time the World Champions had visited.

“That was such a fun year, 2018. I remember going into that game [against South Africa] the physicality was all that we talked about. My opposite man on the day was Damian de Allende who I always really admired. He is a huge physical specimen but such a talented player with a great skill set. Knowing I was facing him really sharpened my focus.

Pictured: Pete sailing over for one of the great Scotland tries, against South Africa, in 2018

“I guess when you’re playing against a team like South Africa who are the most physical team in the world, if you’re not in the races they’ll just run over the top of you. For me, especially as a wee guy, that’s all I needed to get my going, you have to give it every ounce you’ve got.”

Despite Scotland finishing on the wrong side of the score line that day, (20-26), Pete scored one of the team’s two tries on the day.

“Shuggy [Huw Jones] was brilliant in that game. I remember giving him ball and he slipped it away to Sean [Maitland] and he had that break up the sideline popping it back to Shuggy who gave it to me. I just kind of got on the end of it but it was such a cool feeling, it was such a shame we fell short, we felt we had enough, and we should have won that game but it wasn’t to be.”

But now in his new role, Pete is excited for that’s to come today at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.

“I am really excited about where we are at going into facing them again, especially after the Rugby World Cup. The squad that we’ve got is really special. We want to have an Autumn to remember, we’ve had a strong win over Fiji to get us going.

“This will be a huge Test though. We’re well aware of the challenge in front of us facing the world champions but this will be a special opportunity for the 23 who are chosen.”

Whilst all eyes are admittedly on Scotland’s next three games in the Famous Grouse Autumn Nations Series, Pete also has the thrill of leading Scotland A against their upcoming fixture against Chile on Saturday 23 November.

“When Gregor asked me to lead on the Scotland A team, it was like ‘wow!’. I couldn’t wait to tell my wife, my mum and dad, it’s a real honour. Pete Murchie and Steve Lawrie [his assistant coaches] are two guys who I get on really well with so I’m looking forward to working with them. Having them alongside me, I know they’ll have my back.

“Having the chance to face Chile is a great opportunity for these up-and-coming players, it will be a real international Test. Hopefully it gives them a chance to lay down a marker and put their hand up for senior selection in the Six Nations.”

The transition from player to coach has been a successful one for Pete Horne, not that he is the tryp of character to rest on his laurels. There’s too much left in this rugby tank.

Pictured:  Pete Horne during the  Community Game Conference at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, May 2024