Rugby star Findlay Thomson overcomes illness to make Six Nations debut

Findlay Thomson was part of the Scotland squad in the annual tournament last year and also travelled to Kenya for the World Rugby Under-20s Trophy last summer.

However, he was not involved in Scotland’s campaign in the age group version of this year’s Six Nations until the trip to Italy on Friday.

He said: “Last year, I was training right through the Six Nations but was not selected.

“I was still a year younger but I have been out for the last six months with various health things.

“To come back the way I did, when only five weeks ago I was not even running, meant a lot.

“To get back playing on the pitch, never mind for my country, was great.”

Various lung infections had set back the 19-year-old, who made his Six Nations debut for the side in Treviso.

Findlay Thomson (middle, facing the camera) enjoyed being back involved in the Scotland set up as they took on Italy last week. Image: Matteo Ciambelli/Inpho

Scotland, who are without Dunbar’s Elliot Young through injury, had led 14-7 at the break, with former Dunbar Grammar School pupil Thomson involved in the try that put the visitors in front.

He showed excellent hands before offloading the ball to Fergus Watson, who sprinted down the wing to dive over the line.

However, the hosts came roaring back in the final 30 minutes of the second half to turn the game on its head and record a 47-14 triumph.

Despite the defeat, Thomson enjoyed the experience of playing at the 5,000-capacity Stadio Comunale di Monigo, home of Benetton.

The teenager, from Dunbar, told Courier Sport: “The atmosphere was pretty cool.

“It was close to a sell-out and they were very passionate.

“We were 14-7 up at half time and had a bit of belief going into the second half that we might win a game this year.

“We were thinking it could be the one but it just got away from us in the last half hour.”

READ MORE: Thomson off to Kenya for World Rugby U20 Trophy

Now, Scotland’s under-20s squad – which also features Robbie Deans, who played for Haddington and Musselburgh as a youngster – make the trip to Ireland for the final round of fixtures, as Scotland go on the hunt for a first win in this year’s tournament.

In contrast, Ireland could finish the tournament unbeaten and still miss out on overall glory to England, who they drew with, and who top the table by a single point.

The centre, who plays his club rugby with Watsonians, stressed that they went to Cork’s Musgrave Park with “a plan”.

Thomson’s return to fitness and being involved with the under-20s squad comes at the same time as he balances studying finance at the University of Glasgow.

The second-year student, who has been named in Scotland's starting line-up again, said: “It is tough.

“You have got to make a lot of choices.

“When I get a day off, you have got to maximise that.

“It keeps you on your toes and you are busy but I enjoy that challenge.

“I would not rather do one or the other – I like them both at the same time.”