Reed vows to make the most of memorable week
Before travelling off across the other side of the world for a month, top of the agenda for many players would be making sure everything is packed, boots are clean and their passport is looked out. For Arron Reed, there was another small matter to attend to first.
“It’s been a busy last few days to be fair,” explained the imminently-capped winger. “I got married on Friday, chilled there for a bit on Saturday and then flew out here [to Canada] on Sunday. [It was] a full day of travelling on Sunday but we’re finally here, it’s good weather and we’re enjoying ourselves.”
One of the first tasks of married life for wife Fiona will be to attend her husband’s Scotland debut and like any family watching their loved ones, there’s bound to be a degree of nervousness around – although Arron had his fair share to contend with last week, as he added: “I was fairly nervous, it was one of the best days of my life but it went too fast! I wish it was longer. She’s flying out here on Thursday, and we’ll go on our honeymoon at some point later on. She’s alright with it.”
From nuptials to internationals, then, for a player who was part of the wider 2024 Guinness Six Nations squad. Reed has caught the eye for Sale Sharks in the English Premiership, closing in on 100 appearances for the club since making his debut as a fresh-faced 18 year-old in 2017.
His form in the early stages of the 2023/24 campaign really caught the eye. Try braces against Gloucester and then Newcastle, with a score against Bristol sandwiched between, represented an excellent November return for a Sale side who would ultimately reach the semi-final stage of England’s top tier competition.
This is the winger’s second time involved with the Scotland camp, after that glowing form warranted a first call-up ahead of the Guinness Men’s Six Nations earlier this year. Despite not getting any game time, the 24-year-old took plenty from the experience and is excited to be involved again.
“Obviously I didn’t get a chance during the Six Nations to play, but I still loved every second of training and enjoyed being with the lads. This time it’s the same again, I’m enjoying being around the boys and we’ll have a good tour. Hopefully over the four games I can get a chance and show myself.
“It’s going to be tough games, there’s a lot of new lads in, I’m expecting them all to be tough opponents and I think we’re going to enjoy it. Hopefully I can bring a bit of pace, footwork, beating defenders and hopefully score some tries.”
Arron will indeed get the chance he so craves, winning a first Scotland cap against Canada on Saturday at TD Place in Ottawa.
After nine tries this season for Sale Sharks, including five in three games in that fruitful November period, he will be looking to add more in a navy blue shirt, this time with a Scotland badge on it.
It’s been a whirlwind few weeks for one of Scotland’s debutants, who will be hoping that so soon after tying the knot, he can contribute to tying the Canadian defence up in similar fashion on Saturday evening.
Watch Canada v Scotland on Saturday at 10pm BST on TNT Sports 1.