Life @ EA

We are extremely grateful to Accie, and Scottish Rugby Player, Tom Brown, for presenting the School with his Scotland 7s jersey and his 100 cap Edinburgh Rugby jersey. Head of Rugby, Chris Martin interviews Tom about his career and his time at EA.
 

What were the most enjoyable aspects of your school rugby?
Most certainly the 1st XV. I played on the 1st XV for my final 2 years, and in my first year, I think we had quite a young group of guys. It was a vast transition going into that year, and with it, a lot of learning. This soon paid off, as going into my final year we were a successful team. I think we only lost to Merchiston twice…which still hurts!

Another highlight was definitely the tour to South Africa. I still have the jersey and the tie, and I think it was the first real taste of the opportunities rugby can provide.
 

Were there any teachers that you have fond memories of, or which had a strong influence on your rugby career?
Yeah definitely. I just met Mr Allingham again, and he was involved with the BATS while I was in the 1st XV and Mr Saunders who was the head coach at the time. I owe a lot to them in terms of the time they spent developing my game and supporting me while at School. They really dedicated their time to help me work on my play and on coaching points I was told to takeaway back from pathway training to the School. Looking back on my whole career these guys, in particular, have been hugely influential. Every single coach I had really developed who I am and ultimately allowed me to play professional rugby.
 

Was playing professional rugby always your career aim or did you have other aspirations at School that rugby took over?
Rugby was always a massive part of my childhood and teenage years. It was a dream to play professional rugby, but I also came from a family which was very academic. I worked hard on my school work, which, looking back, I am glad this is something I kept up with. It is hugely important too, yes, enjoy your rugby, but to also have your studies under your belt and to keep your options open.

I got involved with the rugby age-grades, playing with Edinburgh U16, U17, U18 and Scotland U16, U17, U18, while I was at school which did take up a lot of my time. With the opportunities I experienced, professional rugby was definitely on my radar, but I would also say I was also aiming for the university as well. When I went into professional rugby I kept on with my studies and completed my degree last year, and it was something I always felt was very important for my future.
 

You almost went straight into professional rugby from school. What was that transition like, from turning up in a blazer and tie to turning up to members of the national team?
It was eye-opening. I think for anyone, whether you go to rugby or university, it’s quite a transition from school to the big-bad-world. The pro-environment was really enjoyable but it was tough. I went straight into a full-time national academy role. A lot of the guys who I had watched on TV and grew up watching - Chris Patterson, Mike Blair, Alan Jacobson, Nick de Luca, Simon Webster - I was suddenly in a changing room with them. I learnt a lot in the first 2 years in the academy, and ultimately this got me my pro contract on the back of that.
 

That was the beginning of your pretty distinguished Edinburgh career – 118 appearances and 100 points, and, for what many dream of, a cap and a win for Scotland against Australia in 2012. What are your memories from that first Scottish cap?
It was a while ago now, it came very early on in my career. I played my full first year with Edinburgh and we had a really successful year where we reached the Heineken Cup semi-final. It was a whirlwind season, and off the back of it, I got selected for the tour. It was amazing. I think it’s still the only Southern Hemisphere Tour where Scotland won all 3 matches; Australia, and then Fiji, and Samoa after that. It was amazing just to go to that part of the world as well, and the victories just made it an enjoyable tour.

I came on for Sean Lamont who was injured. Sean started on the wing and Stuart Hogg was at full-back and Joe Ambrose was on the other wing. We were 20 minutes into the game and a radio message comes through to the bench saying Sean has hurt his ribs and for myself to start getting ready.
 

What was that like to hear?
Nerve-racking! I remember the message came through and I was on the sideline thinking “this is earlier than I expected, but here we go”. There were 30 minutes on the clock so we were well into the first half, and I just remember going up to that touchline and feeling the nerves. I had that 10 minutes to get into the game, and then the second half just flew by.

My opposite man was Digby Loane, who was Super Rugby’s player of the season that year. I had watched him all season thinking “God this guy is class”, and the next minute I was lined up against him! It was pretty daunting but at the same time a pretty incredible experience. It was a famous victory for Scotland, winning against Australia in Australia, and to be a part of that was just awesome.
 

Who would you say are the most distinguished players you have played with and against?
I would probably go back to my early days, where I was lucky enough to play with the guys I grew up watching. I have played with Greig Laidlaw, and looking at the career he has had, the way he works, and how he wasn’t always the number one choice, I learnt a huge amount from him.

I was also lucky enough to play against Brian O’Driscoll. I remember one game, in particular, playing a Heineken Cup match away at Thomond Park against Munster and I remember playing against Dougie Howlett and that was one of the most difficult afternoons of my career- he beat me up a bit! But I am extremely lucky to have played against some legends of the game.
 

Do you have any regrets with your rugby career?
In terms of rugby no. Rugby is a game where you can be lucky or extremely unlucky, and I’ve had a fair few injuries myself and a few setbacks, but there is nothing I look back on regretfully. One thing I could say is I put 100% into wherever I played and I enjoyed every minute of it.

Outside of the actual game, I think one regret maybe deferring my university place for 2 years, having secured my place when I left school. This made life a bit more difficult over the last couple of years trying to finish that degree before the end of my rugby career.
 

You’re involved in 7s and playing with Glasgow right now, but what do you see next for you?
Currently, 7s is a bit up in the air, and fingers crossed we get a bit of rugby in towards the end of the season. I have just joined Glasgow at the moment, which is a new environment, new scene and a clean slate which has been an exciting opportunity I am grateful for. I am really hoping for some rugby 7s!

Outside of rugby, about 4 or 5 years ago I have picked up a passion for aviation and flying, and I have also managed to get my private flyers licence under my belt. Looking beyond the rugby pitch, I look to get my commercial license to become a commercial pilot in the long term.

We have a lot of boys and girls here who have a passion for rugby and would love to play professional rugby and have aspirations of playing for Edinburgh or Scotland at some point in the future. What would your advice be or top tips for pupils wanting to make that transition?
Pro-sport is a tough career to get into. It’s amazing to transfer your hobby into a full-time career, but there is a lot of hard work that often goes unseen. You have to be resilient. My career has had its ups and downs, and you face injury and setbacks but it is extremely important to enjoy the successful moments that come your way and to embrace the professional environment. You learn a lot from it and a lot of life skills. One bit of advice would be to keep your options open, especially while at school, and to keep working hard on yourself, whether that’s continuing studies or keeping up with hobbies outside of whatever your passion may be. There is life beyond rugby! Keep your options open and work hard!  

Keep an eye on our social media channels in the New Year for your chance to win signed merchandise from Tom, along with other Accie related products!