Learmonth will max out pro chance

Former Heriot’s rugby star Max Learmonth is determined to grasp his chance after finally being given the opportunity to clinch a pro contract.

Learmonth, brother of Commonwealth Games athletics prospect, Guy, has joined English Championship side Rotherham Titans after a preliminary eight-week trial was hatched by agent Rowen Shepherd, the former Scotland full back.

Says Learmonth, who will extend his stay if he impresses Titans bosses sufficiently: “So far my results in speed and weights testing have compared favourably with others in the squad.

“The big difference I’m finding is the level of intensity attached to training full-time. An average day starts with a weights session at 7.00am followed by a fitness session and after a couple of hours off the emphasis switches to rugby-related skills and structures.”

A one-time age-group internationalist, Learmonth showed he had overcome injury problems at the start of last season by scoring a try from centre in every match following the league split.

“Everything we are doing is geared to two matches a week during August in readiness for the start of the English Championship,” he added. “My opportunity to do what I really want to do comes after successfully completing a degree in business management.”