Scotland’s sublime Six Nations triumph against England has already whetted the appetite for more locals to get involved with the sport, Perthshire coach Alan Clark revealed.
An enthralling 29-23 win at the Twickenham Stadium was the talk of the nation over the weekend and led to celebratory scenes in watering holes across the country, including the Silvery Tay in Perth.
That was where Perthshire players were camped up to watch the Calcutta Cup action unfold.
“The boys were all together watching it in the Silvery Tay,” Clark said. “They are one of our sponsors.
“There are some brilliant reaction videos of the guys going mental when tries were scored. It gives everybody a lift.
“We have an interest in rugby form and, over Sunday and Monday, we’ve had a number of people filling it out.
“I’m now contacting them saying to come along to training and get involved.”
Duhan van der Merwe’s sensational solo try, of course, received particular praise.
“You just have to say that it is an absolute worldie of a try,” Clark smiled.
“It was almost an under-14s type of try when the big lad gets the ball and scores. It just shouldn’t happen in international rugby, which makes it so special.
“The hypercritical and coach in me is looking at the England kick chase and asking where is it?
“But, in saying that, van der Merwe has got to run nearly 60 metres to score - and beat everybody. It’s frightening.”
Reflecting on the game as a whole, Clark added: “It was incredible to watch.
“Last year at Murrayfield I didn’t actually think we played that well and still got the win.
“But this year I thought they played very well. The confidence that was running through the squad was obvious.
“Even when we were 20 points to 12 down, I still thought we were going to win.”
