Kids rugby touches down at Gilmerton

“I play rugby every week at the after-school class and it’s great fun,” she said. “I really like doing it.”

So she was thrilled to welcome Scotland’s Touch Rugby internationalist Ru Clements to her class as part of the Winning Scotland Foundation’s Champions In Schools programme.

Fifteen Primary Six boys and girls enjoyed sessions on goal setting, healthy eating and,  finally, developing a winning attitude.

After the classroom session, the kids enjoyed some outdoor rugby drills – and they all gave Ms Clements the positive thumbs up.

Katie Graham, 11, relished the thought of setting goals and trying to achieve them. She achieved one – winning a prize in the Champions In Schools art work competition.

“Playing rugby is really good and it makes me feel better about myself,” said the youngster. “The sessions have made us all think a bit more.”

Clements is doing a PhD in veterinary medicine but sport has always played a huge part in her life. She rowed for Edinburgh University and is now looking forward to playing for the Scotland mixed team in the Home Nations Touch Rugby in Dublin at the end of this month.

“I was in the women’s Touch squad that won a bronze medal at the European Championships last year,” she said. “The mixed team won gold so we are favourites for the Home Nations.

“This is my second year going out to schools and it is very enjoyable, but also very challenging.”