Rugby: Victory would be perfect birthday gift

Published on Thursday 26 November 2009 08:37

MORAY LOW is aiming for the ultimate birthday present on Saturday – a win for Scotland over Argentina that would complete a trio of Autumn rugby test triumphs.

In preparing to turn 25, the prop forward recalls how far his oval ball interests have come, saying: "It used to be that I would ask for things like a ball or a new pair of rugby boots for my birthday. Everything was rugby orientated.

"Now, to be out there on the pitch looking for a birthday victory in a Scottish jersey is special."

Getting across the touchline at Murrayfield was never straightforward for Low long before his professional career kicked off as he explained, saying: "I used to travel the three hours down the A9 from my family home in Findhorn to watch Scotland and always my friends and I would try to invade the pitch.

"Unfortunately it was my faster, jinkier pals who could get past the security guards and I'd always end up getting stopped.

"The aim was to get closer to the players. That's why I took a great pleasure myself in meeting up with a group of youngsters from Stornoway who'd come to Edinburgh to see one of our wins."

Low's 6ft 2in and 17st 12lb frame is now coming into its own as a bulwark of the Scottish scrum although it wasn't always that way.

"I actually started off as a scrum-half and as I grew it was my dad, a real rugby enthusiast who has spoken at club dinners including alongside Jason White, who suggested a move forward.

"Key task on Saturday will be seeing off the Argentinean pack because that is where a lot of their strength lies.

"If we do that successfully then we'll have put down a marker to show that not only can we handle one of the best scrummaging packs around but are on the way to achieving consistency.

"Wins against Fiji and Australia so far have been great but it is about a winning mentality in showing we can achieve week in, week out."

Job done and only then will be time for Moray to celebrate in the company of a close relative.

"My cousin, Scott McBeth, is coming down from the Highlands and since it is his birthday, too, we plan to celebrate together and winning would make everything so much better," said Glasgow Warrior Low.

• The Predictor: Guess the outcome of Scotland v Argentina