A TEENAGE rugby star is following in the footsteps of a series of Scottish internationalists.

Joss Arnold, along with Ben White and Jack Craig, has been awarded the coveted John Macphail Rugby School Scholarship.

The accolade will see Arnold spend five months immersed in South Africa’s renowned rugby culture at the high-performance training facility at Stellenbosch University from next month.

Arnold, of Musselburgh, can play as a second-row or flanker and began his rugby journey at Haddington Rugby Club.

He has since gone on to play for Edinburgh Under-18s in a recent 1872 victory over Glasgow Warriors and featured for both Scotland Under-17s and Scotland Under-18s.

The teenager said: “I am taking a gap year after school and had thought about going travelling and playing a bit of rugby abroad, but this is the best of both worlds because I get to go to a great country, but also work hard on my rugby in a top-quality environment.

“I really want to use this trip to take my rugby to the next level and then see how far I can go.”

The announcement was made on Monday, with White, who plays for Biggar, and 17-year-old Craig, from Ayr, also making the trip to South Africa.

East Lothian Courier: Joss Arnold is heading to South Africa through a prestigious rugby scholarship. Image: Scottish Rugby/SNSJoss Arnold is heading to South Africa through a prestigious rugby scholarship. Image: Scottish Rugby/SNS

Arnold said: “I’m just over the moon.

“It is best-case scenario for this – it is such an amazing opportunity to develop and then experience the different cultures and the 20 different nationalities that are there.

“It is amazing.”

The Macphail Scholarship was established in 2005, as a partnership between The Robertson Trust and Scottish Rugby.

Created in memory of ex-Scotland Internationalist John Macphail, the scholarship was developed for talented young players and has also played a key role in the development of coaches including Kenny Murray and Chris Paterson.

Previous recipients include current Scotland players Grant Gilchrist, George Turner, Jonny Gray and Finn Russell, as well as East Lothian’s Callum Hunter-Hill and Finlay Gillies.

 

 

Arnold said: “It is crazy – some big boots to fill.

“Knowing that there are people who took so much away from this experience, it makes me excited to see how it will progress me personally and how far I will go.”

The latest group of players become the 17th set of recipients.

Stephen Gemmell, Scottish Rugby technical and operations director, added: “The Macphail Scholarship consistently delivers a special experience for some of the best young players in the country.

“We’d like to thank The Robertson Trust and Macphail family for enabling Ben, Joss and Jack to experience a world-class playing environment in South Africa that will enhance them as players and people at the start of their rugby journey.

“The scholarship has played a vital role in the careers of international players and we know this next set of players will also reap the benefits.”