Rugby: Africa-bound Trinity teams get it off Pat

SCOTLAND rugby star Chris Paterson visited Trinity Academy to give up-and-coming players the benefit of his experience of touring the land of the Springboks.

Youngsters from the school are set to fly out to South Africa for a sporting tour, with 25 rugby players joining a 28-strong squad of hockey girls.

Paterson was able to pass on some tips on the conditions they can expect based on his experience of playing there on a number of occasions.

He said: "I have attachment to Trinity through a link-up between the rugby authorities and Edinburgh schools and was delighted to be asked to visit and contribute an article to the tour brochure.

"South Africa was where I toured with the Scottish Schools in 1996 and three years later I was back on my first senior tour with Scotland. One outstanding memory is of the pre-world Cup visit in 2003."

Then Paterson scored a try against the Boks that was voted the best of the year at international level by the IRB although a victory narrowly eluded the Scots in the first of two Tests played in Durban.

He recalled: "The 2003 trip was a brilliant experience but while we're still kicking ourselves about the outcome of the first Test (25-29) some of the rugby played was a highlight for me.

"I was roughly the same age as the Trinity boys when I first went to South Africa and remember being struck by the size and physicality of the opposition.

"We were competitive, though, and I'm sure Trinity Academy's team will be, too.

"I'll keep an eye on their progress."

The trip will last two weeks and the Trinity teams will play five matches in Cape Town or Johannesburg.

Planning for the tour began back in 2007 and follows other successful sojourns to the Southern Hemisphere in recent years.

It will round off an excellent season for Trinity who had success in state school rugby seven-a-side events, as well as seeing prop forward Alex Taylor represent the Scotland under-17 side.

Open-side flanker Lewis Timmins was included in the Edinburgh under-17 side. Trinity rugby co-ordinator Roddy Deans said: "One encouraging aspect is that all but five of our players will be back next season to put the lessons learned from this trip into effect."

Meanwhile, Paterson will continue to plot a comeback from kidney damage sustained against Wales in February. "I'm working hard in the gym," said Paterson, whose return is expected to be next season.