THE success of his younger sister has “ignited something” within former Scotland under-20 cap Kyle McGhie as he looks to build on a promising rugby career.
Francesca McGhie was part of the Scotland squad that won the inaugural WXV 2 tournament in South Africa over the weekend, having burst onto the national scene during this year’s Six Nations Championships.
Already capped eight times, Francesca has become a key part of Bryan Easson’s squad and scored three tries for her country.
Francesca was joined by North Berwick’s Liz Musgrove as Scotland won all three of their games. However, they had to wait until the final whistle of Italy’s contest with the USA to be named champions.
Proud Kyle admitted that there was a family rivalry as he enjoyed a promising FOSROC Super Series season.
He said: “Francesca and I have a great relationship both on and off the field but, when the rugby head is on, she listens to what I have to say, and she certainly gives it back to me as well, so we help each other out with our performances.
“I think for me having seen my sister develop so quickly, it’s ignited something in me, a sort of fire to think ‘okay, my sister is playing at this level, I want to do that too, let’s see how far I can get with it as well’ and it’s amazing having that intra-family rivalry.
“We’re probably two of the most competitive people on the planet so to be able to share that passion for our sport is incredible and to be able to share that with your family as well certainly makes for interesting talk around the dinner table, that’s for sure.”
Kyle, 23, began playing rugby with the North Berwick Minis and continued through his school years at Loretto School.
He began playing senior rugby for hometown club Musselburgh and played there through their promotion from National One into the Premiership.
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When the then FOSROC Super6 competition was introduced in 2019, McGhie joined Boroughmuir Bears.
He said: “It was pitched as the opportunity for young players to bridge the gap between professionalism and amateur rugby, and I think for me when I was 18/19 and getting my first cap at Scotland U20, to be in and around that environment was great for me and my development.”
However, when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, he was unable to participate in the World Rugby U20 Trophy that year as all rugby was put on hold.
Complications with Brexit then halted a move to Romania and, following a season down south at Tonbridge Juddians, he returned north of the Border, first with Southern Knights and now Stirling Wolves.
He said: “I absolutely love it at Stirling, the team and the culture is amazing. Eddie Pollock, Scott Lawson and Duncan Hodge have been great with the coaching set-up here along with Sean Kennedy and Craig Jackson has just been fantastic.”
Now, is he looking to push towards the top of the sport.
He said: “I’ve always said that I want to play at the highest level I possibly can, I think in terms of my progression I’ve been able to play some of the best rugby I’ve ever played at Stirling so far this season and I hope to continue that going forward.
“If there was ever an opportunity for a contract with Edinburgh Rugby or Glasgow Warriors or another pro team that would be great, but I know that there is very tough competition at the moment. I’m just trying to go out week-by-week to perform my best not only for Wolves but for myself as well.”
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