Scotland Rugby team cheered on Down Under

Sep 16 2011 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

BIG County couple Jean and Alan Coogan are cheering Scotland’s Rugby World Cup bid every step of the way for good reason.

Their grandsons, Rory and Sean Lamont, are wearing Scotland’s blue Down Under.

The Blairgowrie-born Lamont brothers are determined to play key roles in a campaign which began with a close shave weekend win over Romania and continued with a triumphant midweek clash against Georgia.

The Scots delivered a magnificent 15-6 against the Georgians.

Cheering on family members in New Zealand from the comfort of the couch means the Burrelton-based Coogans are putting in some anti-social hours.

But they reckon it’s worth setting the alarm to take in all the action, which will include a match-up weith Argentina before a glamour final group game with England on October 1.

“We’re delighted that they both got to go,” said Mrs Coogan (87). “Sean missed out last time through injury and Rory has had a few injuries to overcome – although he’s not easily injured, like some in the press make out.”

The Lamont brothers grew up in Blair’s Burnhead Road until the ages of nine and 11. They then upped sticks for Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire where they developed their passion for the oval ball game.

“They both loved rugby from an early age but I would say Rory was more interested in football when he was younger,” Mrs Coogan said. “You see how good he is at kicking which, I think, comes from the amount of time playing football in his youth.”

But Mrs Coogan insists rugby players train with far more intensity than their counterparts with the round ball.

“We know, through their mother, how much committment the boys have given to their sport. I think they train a lot harder than footballers, to be honest.”

A well-known sportswoman herself in her tennis days, Mrs Coogan is now a keen follower of Blairgowrie Rugby Club after being converted to the sport through her family’s connection.

“I’m trying to learn the rules,” she confessed. “Sometimes I don’t understand them but my daughter teaches me.”

Both Sean, who plays club rugby in Wales, and French-based Rory, visit their grandparents when Murrayfield training stints allow.

“The boys were visiting once when they were asked to present prizes at a local garden competition,” Mrs Coogan explained. “There’s interest in how they are getting on at the World Cup.”

With a time difference of 12 hours between Scotland and New Zealand, early rises are essential.

“We are watching the games with a real mixture of emotions,” admitted Mrs Coogan, who watched Scotland star Thom Evans’ career wrecked by a serious injury. “We are so proud of the boys – but we watch with some trepidation as rugby can be quite a dangerous sport.”

Sean was one of Scotland’s better players in the narrow win over Romania last Saturday, while both Rory and Sean featured in the hard-fought success over Georgia.