Samson strengthened by London Irish switch

FORMER Stewart’s Melville scrum-half Ross Samson reckons his rugby world has been turned on its head as he prepares for his debut in the Heineken Cup against his home club.

The 23-year-old feared that his professional career could be over before it had really begun when Edinburgh released him in the summer after just one start in two seasons. However, London Irish snapped him up on a two-year contract and today he will make his second start for the club in successive weeks. “It’s great just to be playing rugby again,” he told The Scotsman, “but to be doing it in the Heineken Cup against Edinburgh is hard to get my head around.

“It has been a real confidence boost to be named to start again this week. I got my chance last month in the LV= Cup, and the other two scrum-halves Paul Hodgson and Darren Allinson had injuries, but they’re back now and the coaches have stuck with me after the way we played against Leicester, so I’m keen to repay their faith.”

Samson never got a look-in against Mike Blair and Greig Laidlaw in the Scottish capital, but after enduring what he termed the “most brutal” pre-season he has known, the sevens cap believes he is starting to develop into a player to challenge at pro level.

He added: “I think it’s harder here than at Edinburgh because of the level of competition, from the quality internationalists to the number of young talents pushing through in every position.

“So you really have to grab every little chance you get.”