Five things you didn't know about Jamie Farndale

• 1 February 2021
• Behind the Scenes

An Edinburgh man through-and-through, winger Jamie Farndale has been a core member of the capital squad since making the full-time switch from Scotland Sevens in 2019.

Here are five things you didn't know about the former Scotland Sevens captain:

A ten year degree

When I initially joined Edinburgh Rugby straight from school in 2011, I gave up a place to study Law.

Instead I took up a part-time degree in Business Management at Edinburgh Napier from which I am hoping to graduate this summer.

Having had to postpone exams because of being abroad with the Sevens, missing lectures and tutorials for training and having to catch up in the evenings, it has taken a little longer than I expected… It will be 10 years by the time I finish!

I have loved the degree - especially the accountancy side of it - and am excited for whatever is next, either further academic qualifications or some professional exams.

A bagpiper

I love Scottish music and always have it on in the car - Rura, Talisk, Tide Lines and Skippinish are all worth a listen!

I play the bagpipes - less than I would like to living in a flat! - but enjoy any opportunity to get them going.

Ive played backpacking across New Zealand, on top of Table Mountain and was asked by the Pipe Major of the Hong Kong Police Pipe Band to play a tune on his pipes at a dinner before the Sevens one year.

It's always fun after a Sevens tournament if there is a group of Scottish supporters in the crowd with their pipes to go and join in.

A pentathlete

Growing up, I did a lot of athletics alongside rugby. I competed a number of times at Scottish Schools over 100m and 200m and represented Scotland at age group level in the pentathlon.

The voice of an angel

One of the lesser known facts about me is that I was part of the winning choir in the BBC School Choir of the Year 2011.

Someone recently found a recording of it online... which was a bit embarrassing! I was playing in the Schools Cup Final at Murrayfield the next day and had to get the train up straight afterwards.

The next Bake Off star...

Over lockdown I started doing a bit of baking. I started by making things like shortbread but have enjoyed trying to challenge myself.

My girlfriend is gluten free which adds a bit to the difficulty level! I recently tried a walnut whip inspired by the bakeoff technical final.

I did a pretty decent job except the gelatine didn’t quite melt… My girlfriend was very polite about how good they were while spitting out lumps of gelatine. I've had a bit more success with other bakes though!