David Blair quits pro rugby for teaching

Published on Wednesday 6 April 2011 19:12

DAVID Blair has taken the decision to walk away from rugby at the age of 25 with a handful of regrets but no bitterness at how his career in the game failed to take off in the way he hoped.

The stand-off comes to the end of four years with Edinburgh in June. There were other possibilities for Blair, with clubs operating below the top bracket eager for a fly-half with Scotland 'A' experience, but Blair said "no".

With the help of guidance from his agent, Rowen Shepherd, the former Scotland full-back, he is now mulling over offers from Loughborough University and Stirling University to study teaching.

It is easy to state that Blair simply did not cut it in pro rugby, and few Edinburgh supporters may curse his departure, hoping, of course, that a better stand-off takes his place. But Blair is not the only one wondering "what if". What if he had not been cruelly kneed in the back after just taking over from Sale's injured fly-half Charlie Hodgson four years ago, and enjoyed a lengthy run in the hard school of the English Premiership?

What if he had not ripped part of his hand open when he was starting before Phil Godman at Edinburgh a year later, and instead ended up spending months in rehab? Blair, arguably the least cocksure of Edinburgh's trio of Blair brothers, does not imagine he would have metamorphosed into Dan Carter had those opportunities not been lost, but he does wonder what kind of player he may have been with that exposure.

He said: "I remember playing and beating England U21s, a team including Toby Flood and Ben Foden.

I played against a number of stand-offs coming through the age groups - Jonny Sexton, Lionel Beauxis and James Hook - and watched them develop.

"Going from the under-21s level up, they seemed to play every single week and get real opportunities to develop their game, while I got just a few appearances off the bench for the last ten minutes in games.

"It wasn't easy at Sale because I was behind Charlie (Jonny Wilkinson's main rival with England then] and when he was injured and I was given my chance, Gloucester No 8 James Forrester broke a small bone in my back when he fell on me with his knee, and that was me out for five months.

"I came to Edinburgh hoping I would be able to develop there with more game-time, and in my first season I started five games on the trot, but then ripped open my hand when a ball hit me between the pinkie and next finger, and was out for a few months."Robinson had been keen to see Blair and Godman battling against each other in 2007-8, but by the time Blair returned to fitness, Godman had responded and pushed back into the Scotland side that summer before enjoying his longest run as Scotland's starting ten in 2008-9.

Development, opportunity and momentum are keys to sports careers, keys that Blair, frustratingly, has not been able to grasp. His journey began as a 17-year-old snapped up by Sale from Edinburgh Academy. He made his Premiership debut at 19 against Leicester at Welford Road and everything seemed bright.

He was, and remains, Scotland's top points-scorer at under-21s (now under-20s] level, and captained his country then, but until this season was a perennial second choice, consigned to bit parts off the bench as he came on to close down games.

Injury to Godman this season opened the door and, able to show other parts of his game, Blair turned in fine performances straight off, earning the 'Man of the Match' award in his first start, a win over a full-strength Leinster side at Murrayfield.

He has gone on to make 23 appearances this season, with good and average form, but placed against that backdrop of precious little game development, and the team's struggles this season, it may be no real surprise.

We do not know how much better Blair may have been, but it again asks questions of Scotland's ability to develop its talent, in just two professional teams. In keeping Blair last summer - he was close to quitting then - they released Rory Hutton, another talented stand-off inevitably needing rough edges smoothed.

Had the Borders team not existed in 2006-7, would all of Chris Cusiter, Kelly Brown, Richie Vernon, Ross Ford, Geoff Cross, Ryan and Roddy Grant, James King, Nick De Luca and Mark Robertson come through to pro rugby?

Blair shrugs, stating that he does not want to enter that debate.

Edinburgh still have three games to go, but they are looking to the future with Greig Laidlaw at stand-off and, while Blair may appear again, he is looking forward to putting the disappointments of waiting for another chance behind him.

"It has been frustrating, like revising for an exam, but never being allowed to sit it. You just feel there is a lot of wasted energy and time and with rugby being my life there were times when it ground you down.

"I would certainly say to younger players to develop other interests that can take you away from rugby." There has been talk in Scotland for years of the 'professional trainer', but it is hard to escape that problem in such a small pro game.

Coaches need a squad of 35-plus to compete, yet know that most Scottish players come to them under-developed compared to their peers in England and elsewhere, so need intense training and game-time to improve. They cannot give that to every player and have a competitive team.

Edinburgh interim coach Nick Scrivener paid tribute to Blair, stating: "David is a player who has always shown a very professional attitude and who has contributed positively both on and off the field. On behalf of everyone at the club, I'd like to wish him all the best for the next stage in his working life."

Blair added: "I've enjoyed my time and made great friends. I've played under some great coaches, and alongside players such as Jason Robinson, Sebastien Chabal, Bryan Redpath, Jason White and the guys at Edinburgh.

"I have great memories, from beating England at U21 level to helping Scotland 'A' win the IRB Nations Cup in 2008, playing for the Barbarians against the Army and beating Leinster and European games with Edinburgh this season.

"I have a lot to be thankful for - the tough times and the good times - but that's a great experience for life. It's time for a change now."