I've been lucky, insists Macfadyen

Published on Monday 12 May 2008 23:07

DONNIE Macfadyen explained yesterday that the twin challenge of a return to education and strengthening young rugby talent had persuaded him that now was the right time to bring the curtain down on his rugby career.

The popular Glasgow and Scotland flanker, who was singled out by Sir Clive Woodward in 2004 as one of the few Scots he viewed as a British Lions contender, has been arguably the unluckiest player in the Scottish game in having endured nearly seven years out of eight as a professional in and out of treatment rooms.

Ankle and shoulder injuries he looks back on now as mere "day-to-day stuff", with a torn groin, a broken foot, multiple hernia operations and serious knee cartilage and ligament damage, to both knees, being the conditions responsible for him spending more of the past five years in rehabilitation than the heat of on-field battle.

Yet, the 28-year-old reflected yesterday on how he was, in fact, one of the lucky ones who had come through the game as a professional, playing for Scotland 11 times (seven in 2004), touring Australia and South Africa and facing some of the world's best players.

"The good memories will always outweigh the bad," he smiled. "Yes, it has been tough at times, and I had days where I was thinking 'that's it; I can't handle it anymore', but I try not to dwell on it too much.

"I was thinking about it a couple of weeks ago, and I think 2004 was the only year that I haven't been injured, and I thought (what I achieved then] shows what I could have done if I'd had a consistent run of games.

"But, I played 11 times for Scotland which was fantastic. Obviously, I wish I hadn't been injured so much and who knows what I might have done had I not been, but it was great to play well for Glasgow and go to Australia, which was an amazing experience, and I'm happy now with the decision I have made.

"It was important for me to get back fit for selection and playing, and it was fantastic to get a couple of games again for Glasgow, and so go out as a fit player rather than being forced to quit through injury. I don't want people to think I'm doing this because I can't do anything else; I'm doing this because it is what I want to do. I'm sure some will say I'm stopping too soon, but I am very excited about what lies ahead."

Macfadyen has always loved gym work, which has helped sustain his recovery periods, and the former Edinburgh Academy pupil is taking a new role working with Edinburgh's strength and conditioning coach Niall Potts while attending Napier University on a full-time sports science degree course.

He starts from where he left off as a 19-year-old at Brunel University, when at London Scottish, keen to launch a career developing the strength and conditioning work of rugby players across the spectrum.

This is a major time in the life of the young professional. He lost his father, the widely-respected judge, Lord Macfadyen, to cancer last month, but stated that though his father was a great support to him the decision was made before then. He is getting married to his partner Rosie next month and is looking forward to balancing a full-time student life – "which won't be like it was when I was 19" – working at Edinburgh and looking after their 19-month-old daughter Isla.

There is little doubt that a career as bedevilled by injury as Macfadyen's has taken some kind of toll physically and psychologically. Though always keen to accentuate the positives, he admitted his biggest frustration had been being unable to compete hard for the Glasgow and Scotland No 7 jersey, and that is what should be remembered about Macfadyen more than any injury.

At his best he was a competitive animal that very few in world rugby, including revered Wallabies George Smith and Phil Waugh, could handle. It comes as little surprise, therefore, that the moment his comebacks became tedious he turned his attentions to a new challenge, and is now enthusiastically looking to inspire younger players to do the same.