Edinburgh's McInally goes back to school

McInally played his first game at hooker for Edinburgh on Friday as the Scottish side returned to their former home - and McInally's old school ground - Myreside for the match against Ospreys in the GUINNESS PRO12.

And the 24-year-old says he thought it was important to give back to the community by sharing any pearls of wisdom he had gleaned from his professional career, with the young primary school students just starting out in life.

"Apart from how much I get paid, which was asked a few times, there were some really good questions," he said.

"A lot of them centred around injuries I've had but there were a lot of questions about what I'd like to do after rugby as well, which for me is wanting to be a pilot."

McInally began his career as a No.8, playing occasionally at flanker, before announcing in 2013 that he had decided to convert to hooker.

He has appeared at every age group level for Scotland as well as captaining their Under-20s team but is yet to make his senior debut.

And McInally believes that this experience of coming up through the ranks puts him in a position of responsibility as it allows him to offer rare advice and tips on what it is like to grow up in the world of rugby.

"I enjoy doing things like this. It's good to see the reactions on the kids' faces when you give them a bit of an insight into a job," he explained.

"For something like rugby it's a bit unique for them to get someone to come in and talk about it."

McInally came off the bench in Edinburgh's 24-16 victory over Ospreys last week, which was played at Watsonians' Myreside Stadium because BT Murrayfield was hosting Scotland's clash with Wales on the Sunday.

Amd Friday's convincing win was crucial in keeping the Scottish side's ambitions of a top-six GUINNESS PRO12 place alive heading into the final third of the season.

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