Rugby: Maltman set for full-time deal

Former Heriot’s and Musselburgh rugby prospect Mike Maltman is to get a chance to play full-time with the announcement of a contract offer from the Scottish seven-a-side squad believed to be imminent.

In a move that could have implications for the Edinburgh professional team, Maltman, who made eight appearances at back row for the Scottish under-20s in 2010, is quitting his Moseley club at the end of university studies and returning north of the Border.

On occasions when he is not globe-trotting, the partner of paralympic silver medallist sprinter Libby Clegg could be available to augment Edinburgh coach Michael Bradley’s pool of players.

“I honestly don’t know where this will take me at the end of two years. I might turn out to be a world-class sevens player,” says Maltman who began to impress sevens coach Graham Shiel some time ago.

“What it will do, though, is help me develop areas of my game, like my pace. I won’t have any option but to get faster with all that running and handling. Those things are only going to improve me as a rugby player.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. To see the world will be great, to do it through playing sport even more so. I am really looking forward to it,” added Maltman, who, as a semi-pro, has made the second highest number of appearances for English Championship outfit Moseley this season.

“The step up into semi-pro rugby was brilliant, playing a really high competitive standard. Coming off the bench so often you have to quickly get into game mode and that could be important playing Sevens where it starts off at 100 mph,” he said.