Rugby: Di Rollo set for return with Watsonians

MARCUS DI ROLLO is set to come out of retirement and give a boost both to struggling Watsonians and the Scottish Hydro Premiership where his experience of 21 internationals with Scotland will add lustre to the domestic competition.

In the closing moments of 'Sonians' vital 23-19 victory at Boroughmuir which put survival hopes back in their own hands Di Rollo forsook coaching duties and stepped off the bench into the fray.

It was the first time since a sojourn with Toulouse ended amidst claims fitness checks had shown up a heart ailment which Di Rollo has gone to great lengths, medically, to disprove.

After almost two years taking stock Di Rollo has decided he wants to play again while being resigned to his professional career having ended.

"I played (2007-08) pre-season games for Toulouse against Bourgoin and Dax then a few espoirs (reserve games).

"The coach said I was to face Montpellier in the first team but it never arrived and interest amongst clubs looking to sign me dwindled when they learned there was a situation.

"I look at my old Scotland colleagues Simon Taylor and Chris Paterson still playing and think 'that could be me' but sometimes you have to take it on the chin.

"There is life after professional rugby although a motivation for coming back would be to play for the first time in Watsonian colours alongside my brothers Ben and Luke, six and eight years younger respectively, though ironically both are injured just now.

"(Watsonian manager) Iain said around November he was going to register me to play and I wasn't convinced.

"But it was great to be asked by (head coach) Bruce Aitchison to assist with the backs and against Boroughmuir the likes Grant Somerville, Max Learmonth, Ali Row and Jamie Forbes did justice to some good possession provided by the forwards.

"It was good to be back in Watsonian colours for the first time since returning from knee cruciate damage in 2002.

"The club are in a dogfight with two games remaining but we have given ourselves a chance after threatening to play like we did against Boroughmuir.

"Who knows where it goes from here for me and I have other considerations including a one-year old son, Rocco, and business.

"But I've told my Dad it would be great to play with my brothers and that's a pledge I'd like to fulfil" said the ex-Test centre whose last cap was against the All Blacks in 2007.