Rugby: Sibling rivalry driving Learmonth to the top

When rising star Max Learmonth re-enters rugby action as Heriot's entertain Stewart's-Melville in a Scottish Premier Cup pool clash tomorrow, he will be nothing if not fully fit - despite the winter lay-off that has kept most clubs out of action since November.

Max has spent Christmas holidays training in the company of younger brother, Guy, who, earlier this week, was named as the unofficial world No.?1 800 metres runner indoors for the under-19 age group.

"Christmas day was spent running along Eyemouth beach trying to keep up with Guy and hopefully being in his slipstream hasn't done me any harm," says Max, capped as a three- quarter by Scotland at Under-17 to Under-19 level before injury wrecked his chances of Under-20 honours last season.

"When news came through that Guy's time of 1min 50.25sec was faster than anyone else in his age group - only two Americans in the older age group ran faster last year - I didn't feel so bad and now I'll try and use any extra pace gained to help Heriot's in this new year."

In fact, it will be a tall order for Max to surpass achievements at Goldenacre since moving over from Watsonians last summer. This son of former British Universities 100m and 200m champion Mark Learmonth ended 2010 by collecting the latest Heriot's "player of the month" award just edging out sevens internationalist Struan Dewar.

Then the snow arrived, but that still couldn't tarnish the memory of how he managed to rack up 12 tries in 14 games with only Melrose and Boroughmuir defences managing to keep him out.

Not only that, but against Stew-Mel, Max will be looking to score for the fifth successive game, his tally including one when the Cup campaign was launched with a 27-8 success at Cartha in the opening pool round.

Natural modesty ensures Berwick-born Max attributes his tries to being in the "right place at the right time" but there is no doubt he has an edge that could surely be utilised soon by the Scottish Clubs' International side especially with his ability to play centre or wing.

What is certain, is that sights are being set high and understandably so as it will take a lot to upstage Loughborough-based brother Guy's ambition of a GB athletics vest sooner rather than later.

"Hopefully, I'm making rugby selectors take note including on the professional scene and what will maybe help is that for all we could be rusty compared to Stew-Mel who had a friendly match at Haddington earlier this week, Heriot's should start the year reinforced by Jamie Parker's return from injury," says Max.

In fact, Stew-Mel managed to win that clash as part of a three match success streak.

Elsewhere, Currie list Edinburgh development signing Tom Brown on the wing for their home meeting with Aberdeen Grammar FPs which sees skipper Andy Adam listed for a first start since September.

Boroughmuir are also in the Capital preparing to host Stirling County.For Watsonians and Edinburgh Accies, who both launched their Cup bids with a bonus point win, there are trips to, respectively, West and Glasgow Hawks while Musselburgh head for Falkirk.

'Sonians have Jamie Wood on the bench for the first time this season while West recall Murray McConnell Graham Fiskin and Dave Young.