Alexandria rugby star Duncan Munn has admitted that running out for Scotland against England at the under-20s Six Nations was an emotional experience.
The 18-year-old outside centre, who came through the ranks at Loch Lomond and currently plays for Boroughmuir Bears, started all five Six Nations matches for Kenny Murray’s side – and reflected on a character-building tournament for the young Scots.
He said: “The results really weren’t what we wanted. It was tough going at times.
“We felt we could’ve got a bit more out of some games. We were competitive in all the games for parts, but over the full 80 minutes we dropped off at times.
“The whole experience was amazing though. All the boys got on so well, we had a really tight-knit group which helped us through those tough times.
“The experience of travelling to places like Italy was really good for going forward.
“The England game was definitely an emotional one. A couple of nights before we were shown messages from the Scotland team at the hotel and the coach, Kenny, gave us a chat. You could see a few boys had tears in their eyes. It was definitely special.
“When we ran out and were lining up for the anthems, I knew where mum and dad were sitting. I’d seen all the Loch Lomond hats.
“I knew if I looked and made eye contact then I probably would’ve gone, so I found some empty seats to look at instead and just focused on them.”
Munn’s call-up was a proud moment for his rugby-mad family, with brothers Gregor and Lewis both players at Loch Lomond and parents John and Angela both heavily involved in running the club.
However, his place in the squad came as a shock to mum Angela, who only found out at work.
She explained: “Duncan didn’t tell anyone. I found out on social media whilst I was at work.
“To be fair to Duncan he only found out the night before, but he hadn’t told us. So I found out at work.
“I’m a teacher and fortunately the children had all gone home. I think I shouted and shrieked a wee bit and then ran down the corridor to tell anyone who would listen!”
And Angela added that she found the build-up to the games a nerve-wracking experience.
She explained: “I get so nervous before all the boys’ games, even when Duncan played at Loch Lomond and when I’m watching Gregor and Lewis. I just feel really nervous.
“Once I got into the stadium and you were in with the crowd, the atmosphere at the games with England and France were amazing, then that takes your mind off it.
“I’ve watched Duncan play for so long and I’ve got real confidence in him. It’s just the build-up that’s nerve-wracking."
Whilst dad John added that it was another massive moment in the history of Loch Lomond Rugby Club.
He said: “Everyone at the club was very proud of him. They were all sending him messages of support, and quite a few of them went along to watch the games.
“It was a really big step for the club to take.”
Duncan is now preparing for the Super6 Sprint series tonight (Friday April 15), when his Boroughmuir Bears side travel to Ayr.
He added: “We started training again last week and we’ve got six or seven games before there’s another Scotland tour being planned.”
