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Luke Crosbie revealed his pride at bucking the trend to emerge from a public school background and represent Scotland at a Rugby World Cup \u2013 but the flanker\u2019s friends will ensure he never lets his success go to his head.<\/p>\n
The 26-year-old Edinburgh back-rower grew up in the West Lothian town of West Calder, which is far from a traditional rugby heartland.<\/p>\n
Crosbie\u2019s love for the game, which he first got into while at primary school, has taken him to a level whereby \u2013 after winning five caps for his country \u2013 he is preparing to make his first appearance at a World Cup after being selected to start Saturday\u2019s must-win match against Romania in Lille on Saturday.<\/p>\n
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\u201cLooking at my journey to get here, it\u2019s obviously special for me and my family that I\u2019ve come right through,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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\u201cAt school, I don\u2019t think there was anyone who played rugby, we didn\u2019t have a rugby team or anything like that.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo reflect on that and be sitting here at a World Cup is special for me and obviously my family have seen me go through all the stages. I\u2019m just really excited and proud to be here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Crosbie knows it is more difficult to make it in professional rugby in Scotland if not educated at a private school. His relatively humble beginnings in the sport, and those close to him, ensure he will always keep his feet on the ground.<\/p>\n
It could be the biggest game for Edinburgh or Scotland and they’ll be asking for a night out!<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you want something you have to go for it,\u201d he said, reflecting on his rise. \u201cAt school this is what I wanted to do. But not everybody knew you could do this as a job.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I went back to school, they said, \u2018what do you do for work, though, what\u2019s your job?\u2019 Which is fine, I quite like that.<\/p>\n
\u201cNone of my friends know much about rugby at all so when I chat to them they don\u2019t know what is going on.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt could be the biggest game for Edinburgh or Scotland and they\u2019ll be asking for a night out! And I\u2019m like \u2018you\u2019re not following it at all, are you?\u2019 Which is great. But it\u2019s special for me and I\u2019m just proud to be here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Crosbie was unavailable for the opening match against South Africa after suffering a rib injury in the build-up. Nonetheless, he has enjoyed his World Cup experience so far and is looking forward to his first outing on Saturday.<\/p>\n
\u201cPicking up an injury wasn\u2019t great, but I\u2019m totally fine now and I\u2019m looking forward to the opportunity this weekend,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m feeling really confident, the performances I have put in at Edinburgh throughout the season have been great. To get in the World Cup squad was great for me and my family.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThe support I get from my family is the same wherever I play. I could be playing a game for Currie at Malleny Park and they would be there.<\/p>\n
\u201cI played an Under-20 game in France for Scotland and my dad and uncle drove all the way down to watch my play. It doesn\u2019t matter who I\u2019m playing for, they\u2019re always there supporting me.\u201d<\/p>\n