Roddy Grant scored a memorable debut try in the Black and Red against Connacht during the club’s record home win in the Magners League and the summer signing says he is pleased with his progress.
At just 22, National Academy graduate Grant is the youngest member in Edinburgh’s current starting line-up.
But the Botswana-born flanker, previously with Heriot’s, has shown tremendous determination and maturity in the famous number seven jersey during the opening two rounds of the new Magners League season – proving he will be difficult to dislodge from the openside slot. Remember it is not too late to become part of a record-breaking team by signing up for an 09/10 Season Ticket (prices start from just £30 for Juniors). AnyGame vouchers are also proving popular with Edinburgh supporters (book an Adult ticket in advance and save £5). Call 0131 346 5180 to reserve your place in the West Stand for memorable nights and record-breaking afternoons.
Grant’s late score finished off the try-scoring extravaganza, but he modestly revealed he felt he was lucky to cross the whitewash.
Grant said: “To be honest, I was pretty lucky to score and I would have got into trouble if we had lost the chance.
“But it is always good to score for your club – for the badge and the jersey.”
Watch the intro to the new season which appeared on Murrayfield's Big Screen tonight - are you ready for the next match?
Edinburgh ran in eight tries on the night and Grant confesses that the players weren’t aware of breaking any club records before the match the result was down to sheer professionalism and high standards.
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He added: “We didn’t know the record home win in the Magners League before kick-off, so I think it shows the professionalism and determination the boys have.
“All pre-season, everyone has been pushing each other and that has led to a good environment in the squad.
“It was pleasing to see us go for the jugular and just keep on going. Hopefully we can keep on going and achieve that type of result again.”
Over the past four months, Grant has shone on the Sevens circuit with Scotland 7s and also picked up a winner’s medal with Scotland ‘A’ after the IRB Nations Cup triumph in Romania.
He admits he is happy with the way everything has panned out for him so far, but insists he wants to keep moving forward.
He said: “The last few months have been brilliant. It was a great end to last season and the two Sevens tournaments, at Twickenham and Murrayfield, were awesome. We got to two semi-finals and to have done so well in front of our home crowd was brilliant.
“Then to go away to Romania and feature in such a strong squad with Andy Robinson was amazing and a great experience. That is something I’ve felt helped me to improve as a player.
“It has been good building into the season and I’ve been trying to take steps forward from then.
“The last two games have gone well and I’m just over the moon.”
“We didn’t know the record home win in the Magners League before kick-off, so I think it shows the professionalism and determination the boys have.
“All pre-season, everyone has been pushing each other and that has led to a good environment in the squad.
“It was pleasing to see us go for the jugular and just keep on going. Hopefully we can keep on going and achieve that type of result again.”
