Bruce Douglas ‘settled’ at Worcester, but Scotland keeps calling him home

THE reversal of the talent drain from Scotland by the new SRU management has pricked ears of Scots outside the country and 43-times capped prop Bruce Douglas is the latest to show interest in a return home.

The 31-year-old was forced to quit Scotland in 2007 when the Borders team was disbanded, joining Chris Cusiter, Simon Danielli and Gavin Kerr as internationalists in leaving Scottish rugby. Cusiter has since returned, to Glasgow, while Douglas has enjoyed spells with the Scarlets, Montpellier and currently Worcester.

He is happy at the English Premiership club, where he continues to cover all three positions in the front row, but admitted that the prospect of passing on his experience to young props at his home club, Edinburgh, holds a fresh appeal.

Edinburgh have been seeking to strengthen their front row resources, and, after failing to tie up new props in the summer, despite some trials, are still in the market for an experienced prop. Douglas might fit the bill and he told The Scotsman: “In many ways it would be a dream move at the end of my career, to go back to my home city and play for the one Scottish team you could say I always wanted to play for but never had the chance.

“I am very happy at Worcester, though, and have really enjoyed playing in England. My contract is up at the end of the season, but I’m hopeful of securing another deal because I’m quite settled.

“The only team I would think about leaving for probably would be Edinburgh because it’s my city. I grew up there and went to school at George Heriot’s. Wherever I am, it is always the result I look for. It’s one of those things: you leave your home, but your home never leaves you.”

Douglas came through the Scottish age-grade system and played for four years with Heriot’s, winning two Scottish championships, but with just two pro sides he was signed by Harlequins. Jim Telfer, the former SRU director of rugby, kept an eye on him and when the Borders team was relaunched in 2002 persuaded him to return north.

One of a front row trio, Ross Ford and Stevie Scott the others, who remained with the Reivers throughout their five-year reincarnation, when Douglas left it was with 43 caps accumulated in the space of five years and to a Scarlets team flying high after reaching the Heineken Cup semi-finals.

However, he struggled for game-time at Stradey Park and jumped at an offer from Montpellier to experience French rugby.

“I remember my time there fondly,” he said. “They asked me to play hooker as well for six months, which was new, but you learn quickly in French rugby and I ended up playing tighthead, hooker and loosehead, and really developing my game.

“I enjoyed helping to develop young lads – I didn’t consider myself that old either though! – and it’s been good to see boys like Juan Figallo, Kevin Kervarec and Max Bustos coming through. They were good young lads playing under me then and are real talents. In France, though, they don’t push you in too early.

“I don’t regret any of the moves I’ve made, but I feel I played for Scotland too soon. I had only played ten games for the Borders I think, and I was handed my Test debut, and I was in the team then for four years.

“I thoroughly enjoyed every minute, and have great memories, but I still had a lot to learn about front row play and I find it ironic now that I am a far better player, have experienced French and English scrummaging [Worcester have the top scrummaging stats in the Premiership] and yet I haven’t had a look-in with Scotland since I left.

“But there are some good players about and maybe that’s down to the standard having risen in the past four or five years.”

Douglas’ move to England was, in part, to try to resurrect his Test career, and while he disagrees that playing outside of the country harms international prospects, his career suggests otherwise.

He is reluctant to talk about the future, and any potential for a move to Edinburgh, as he is committed to Worcester. But when I mention the 37-year-old Tongan anchoring the Worcester scrum, Tevita Taumoepeau, it is clear there is much rugby left in him, and that he retains much affection for the capital.

“I watch virtually all of Edinburgh’s games on BBC Alba, S4C or Sky, and it has been great to see both Scottish teams starting to pick up, and getting the backing they need to be competitive,” he added. “I can understand why Sean and Rory [Lamont] are going back, because the way the game seems to be moving now in Scotland is more appealing.

“I never had any choice but to leave and I feel for the young guys trying to come through a two-team pro game. I wouldn’t want to come back and stop a youngster developing.

“But if Edinburgh’s coaches and Massimo Cuttitta [Scotland scrum coach] felt I could help Lewis Niven and other young props, I’d probably be happier filling the back-up, squad role there than anywhere else.

“I think my international days might be behind me, but I’ve learned that you never say never to anything.”