By Gary Heatly
Former Stewart’s Melville College student Freddy Douglas says making his full Scotland rugby debut at the age of 19 on Saturday was “the best feeling” of his life.
The back-row talent came off the bench for the last 15 minutes of the 59-21 win over Portugal in the Autumn Nations Series, in front of over 60,000 people at Murrayfield to a standing ovation.
The Edinburgh Rugby Academy member, who left School in 2023, has become the youngest player to represent Scotland since Donald White in 1963, and it was a magical day for him and his family.
"Obviously you're so excited about being in the squad and then you just want to get on the pitch as soon as you can,” he said.
"When I eventually did get on, it was the best feeling of my life.
"The big thing I remember is just the anthem before the game, singing Flower of Scotland in front of so many people for my country just felt amazing. I got quite emotional during it and it's something I'll never, ever forget.
“I think it's obviously amazing that I've managed to get this opportunity so young, but I don't think age is really what matters.
“If you're good enough, you're old enough, as they say. Meeting Donald White afterwards was amazing. He was lovely, a wee bit cheeky, but really nice and it was class to see him. He was just quite smiley and I think he did say that he was definitely younger than me when he got his Scotland cap!
“It's been so surreal, such a surreal few weeks being with the squad. Playing and training with my heroes growing up, it's all been a bit crazy.
“They've all been so welcoming and it's not felt like I'm the youngest or that I'm not meant to be here, I have just embraced it all and tried to take it all in.
“I just want to say a big thanks to my family and friends who were in the stadium to watch me, that was really cool and it was good to catch up with School coaches Stuart Edwards and Bryn Lockie afterwards, they have helped me a lot.”
As Douglas mentioned, he managed to chat with Mr Edwards and Mr Lockie in the stadium afterwards and it was a special day for them too as well as many other people involved with rugby at the school.
“It was brilliant seeing him out there on the pitch playing for Scotland,” Head of Rugby Mr Edwards said.
“As the Head of Rugby this was the first time I’ve seen a player come through from the start at the school and go on and earn international honours. Freddy is following in the footsteps of George Turner, Ross Thompson, and Jamie Hodgson in recent years, and that is special.
“Bryn and myself were very pleased to be there and it was great to catch up with Freddy afterwards. He was in a bit of a daze, a bit of a bubble at that stage as he was just taking it all in and processing what he had just achieved, but the big smile on his face said it all and he and his family should feel very proud.
For Mr Edwards and the rest of the Sports team at ESMS, Sport is about more than being the best; “Freddy is so level-headed, he won’t let this cap so early in his career go to his head. He will just keep working hard, be humble and try to get better and better. Those are the characteristics we aim to bring through from the rugby programme at the school.
“Not everyone go on to play for Scotland, but throughout their time here we want to help them become as good rugby players as they can be, make sure they enjoy it and help instil traits in them which makes them good people off the pitch too.
“The boys who play rugby at the school just now are buzzing after Freddy’s debut and they have been talking about it all week - he is a great role model.
“I’d also like to pay tribute to Mr [Gregor] Wood and Mr [Jason] Hill who worked hard coaching Freddy in the art of the breakdown and about general back-row play when he was a student with us.”
Douglas will be in action again this Saturday for Scotland A in a one-off game against the Chile national team at Hive Stadium and fellow former pupils Ross Thompson and Mikey Jones are also in the matchday 23. Another former pupil, Steve Lawrie, is an assistant coach for the match.
Scotland’s Autumn Nations Series - and a month Douglas will never forget - then comes to an end on Sunday when they play Australia at Murrayfield.
