Rugby: Accies’ Cambridge pair get ready for Varsity battle

Edinburgh ACCIES pair Paul Loudon and Sam Hunt are preparing to fly the flag for Scottish rugby when they turn out for Cambridge against Oxford in the 130th Nomura Varsity match at Twickenham on Thursday.

The clash, to be shown live on Sky Sports 1, is expected to attract a crowd of around 30,000-35,000, and winger Loudon says his team will be driven by the memory of defeat a year ago when he made his debut in the fixture.

Loudon said: “We have a bit of a point to prove and I will never forget the feeling of disappointment in the changing room afterwards.”

This time round, Cambridge’s regular coaching has been fortified with sessions from Shaun Edwards, the former rugby league legend who, as defensive guru, helped Wales reach the recent World Cup semi-finals.

Loudon, a Scotland sevens and under-20 cap who hopes to be available for Accies over the festive break, added: “Shaun’s coaching was particularly intense and maybe a bit intimidating but extremely useful.

“Also, our head coach Tony Rogers has been able to call on some help from Wasps’ defence coach Rob Hoadley, which was also useful.

“After experiencing the fixture with all its tradition and surrounding events last year, hopefully, I can be a bit more relaxed and concentrate more on what happens on the pitch this time.

“Highlight of our build-up was a meeting with a strong Saracens team and we took heart from ‘winning’ the second half 19-3.”

For Hunt, also a highly talented Scottish age-group cricketer, the match will see him cover scrum-half from the bench.