Why return to South Africa rekindles special memories for Scotland prop

Lions tourist Sutherland knows how to win against Springboks

A return to South Africa has rekindled some special memories for Rory Sutherland who toured there with the British and Irish Lions in 2021.

It was an undoubted career highlight for the loosehead prop who is back in the country with Glasgow Warriors.

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Sutherland, 32, is settling in nicely at his new club after a peripatetic few seasons which saw him play in England, Northern Ireland and France. He came off the bench to replace the injured Nathan McBeth in the first half of the game against the Sharks in Durban at the weekend and helped the Warriors secure two bonus points in a 28-24 defeat. This Saturday they take on the Stormers in Stellenbosch.

It was in Cape Town that Sutherland played for the Lions in the opening two Tests against the Springboks three years ago. His call-up was the culmination of a remarkable fight back from an injury so serious that he was in a wheelchair for a month and bed-ridden for three. It happened in 2016 when he ripped both sides of his groin completely off the bone in a warm-up before an Edinburgh game against Harlequins and it looked like he might never play rugby again.

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The road back was arduous, made tougher by an infection, and he has spoken before about how his wife, Tammy, helped pull him through the darkest moments. But Sutherland did pull through, returning to the Edinburgh and Scotland teams and his form was such that he was selected by Warren Gatland for the 2021 Lions tour. Having played for the composite side in their send-off game against Japan at Murrayfield, he went on to win selection for the first Test against the Springboks in Cape Town and started as the Lions defeated the world champions 22-17. He came off the bench a week later as the hosts tied the series with a 27-9 victory before winning the decider 19-16.

Sutherland wasn’t involved in the third Test but has “amazing” memories of his time as a Lions tourist.

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“When I came into Glasgow, we had to stand up in front of the players and do something called ‘About Me’. And we talk about our history as a player and our highlights, the way through our rugby careers and how we got to where we are. Talking about it sort of refreshes your memory,” he said.

“And it's had me thinking about it a lot. It was a fantastic experience and something that I never thought would have been achievable for me. So, not to look back now and know that that's something that I've done. I'm extremely proud of that.”

The Lions will return next summer and Sutherland expects a few of his new Glasgow team-mates to be vying for selection for the tour of Australia. Zander Fagerson - who toured in 2021 - and Sione Tuipulotu have already spoken about their ambitions and there are likely to be a handful of other Warriors who will come into contention.

“Yeah, absolutely,” said Sutherland who is likely to be named in the Scotland autumn Test squad on Wednesday. “I think there's a lot of really good talent in the squad. When I first came into Glasgow, I was training with a younger group of players just to sort of get up to speed with the plays, the calls, the language at Glasgow. And training with even those younger boys, you can see there's a lot of really good up-and-coming talent. And then obviously training alongside the senior boys. Yeah, a lot of extremely skilled players. Boys that are, you know, held in very high regard.”

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Glasgow feels like a good fit for Sutherland who spent seven years with Edinburgh before going on his travels. The Hawick man moved to the Premiership to join Worcester Warriors after the Lions tour and enjoyed his first season in England. However, in October 2022 all Worcester players had their contracts terminated due to the liquidation. He signed a short-term contact with Ulster until the end of the season then moved on to Oyonnax to play in the French Top 14 in 2023-24. Following relegation, he returned to Scotland to join Glasgow.

“It's nice to be back on home turf and playing for a Scottish club,” he said. “It’s nice to be around familiar faces every day again and being back closer to family. I’ve been away from the family for two or three years now, and travelling back and forward. So, no, really good. I'm happy and settling in nicely.

Rory Sutherland in action for the Lions against the Stormers in 2021. He is set to the face them again this weekend in the colours of Glasgow Warriors.Rory Sutherland in action for the Lions against the Stormers in 2021. He is set to the face them again this weekend in the colours of Glasgow Warriors.
Rory Sutherland in action for the Lions against the Stormers in 2021. He is set to the face them again this weekend in the colours of Glasgow Warriors. | Getty Images

“No one could ever have imagined that what happened at Worcester would have happened. And it's obviously an unfortunate thing. It was a great club, amazing facilities. Me, the wife and the kids loved living there for the year and a bit that we stayed. We settled in nicely and really enjoyed it. So, no, it's a shame that it all folded. But it was great to then go over and play for Ulster. A great club, a lot of history in Ireland. A lot of good players, good coaches. Great set-up. they've got there as well.”

Having spent so much of his career with Edinburgh Sutherland might have been forgiven for feeling some trepidation about joining Glasgow.

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“No, not at all,” he said. “At the end of the day, you've got a job to do. No matter whether it's an orange jersey for Edinburgh or a black jersey for Glasgow, you put the jersey on and do your job, no matter who it is. But I enjoyed my time at Edinburgh. Seven years I was there, but when I left, it was time to leave. It was time for me to challenge myself and go away and try something new. And I'm glad I've done that. But I’ve enjoyed it at Glasgow so far.”

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