Edinburgh Players Out In Force

From Montrose in the north to Langholm in the south-west, Edinburgh Rugby players were out and about at rugby clubs this weekend giving some extra muscle to RBS RugbyForce 2012.Players from the Scotland team, Scotland Women’s team, Scotland under-20 and Scotland 7s went back to the grassroots to help clubs prepare for the big kick-off and to open their doors to their local community to show what they have to offer.Some 138 clubs across Scotland registered to take part in the initiative which continues tomorrow putting a whole new slant on the glorious 12th.Representative players were on hand to assist at around 20 clubs with former Edinburgh Rugby great and club ambassador Chris Paterson, doing a cross-country trip to offer his support.Edinburgh Rugby hooker captain, Ross Ford, was at Grangemouth RFC, where he saw ambitious plans for a sports barn which will protect a 3G IRB compliant pitch from the worst excesses of the Scottish winter.He said: It’s been fantastic. The turn-out has been awesome. To come to local clubs to help them out in preparation for the start of the season is a really great initiative and everybody has had great fun. His Edinburgh Rugby team-mate, fellow internationalist Greig Laidlaw, added: ‘this is where it all starts. Im a big believer in bringing some energy along to the kids and hopefully they will aspire one day to go on to greater things themselves.There was a delighted reaction from youngsters and women players at Grangemouth, where Ford and Laidlaw were able to enjoy a special, healthy granola and muesli bar (at least that’s how they described it) prepared for them!Greig Gilbert, RBS Rugby Team, said: ‘the idea behind RBS RugbyForce Weekend 2012 is to support clubs to hold an event that underlines what they can offer to their communities, while encouraging everyone to get the club ready for the new season.There’s clearly been some great work going on today and our thanks to everyone who has been involved including RBS branch staff. Other players on duty included prop Geoff Cross who was be at Dumfries while Fijian, No 8 Netani Talei [pictured] was at Crieff and Strathearn.