RBS Shield final: ‘Massive’ day for loyal Scott Swankie

FOR some ambitious youngsters coming through age-grade ranks it is difficult to imagine a career outside the professional game.

However, Scott Swankie will lead Dunfermline in the Shield Final at Murrayfield today with no regrets that pro rugby has remained just out of reach. Swankie was a leading teenage talent, playing a key part in Scotland’s first win over England at under-18 level and earning under-19 and under-21 honours.

A hooker in his teens, he has matured into a full-back and, now 31, remains one of the best performers in the club game. He said: “I’ve loved playing club rugby and Dunfermline has always been a club that I felt has being going places, and I’ve just enjoyed it. We got ourselves up into Premier Two and then lost a few players and struggled a bit, but with the youth system we have we’ve always got exciting young guys coming through like Fraser McKenzie [ex-Edinburgh now Sale lock] and Steve McColl for example.

“I’m getting the other side of 30 now and so to come here with Dunfermline is just massive for me and I’ve been trying to tell the younger lads that this doesn’t come along often.”

They face fellow National League One side Musselburgh, who claimed second spot this season with the Fifers in fourth, intriguingly with each side beating the other away from home.

James Doig, the Musselburgh skipper and wing, hopes his pacy back three can use Murrayfield’s space to their advantage. He said: “This has given us a chance to finish the season on a high, having finished second in the league.”