Blair Kinghorn, the Scottish rugby sensation who has etched his name in the annals of the sport, recently embarked on an exhilarating journey to the rugby heartland of Toulouse, leaving his hometown club, Edinburgh, in his wake. This move, though nerve-wracking, promises to be a game-changer for the talented full-back.
Kinghorn, a 26-year-old with an impressive tally of 128 points from his 50 Scotland caps, made headlines when he decided to swap the cozy confines of Edinburgh for the bustling atmosphere of Toulouse. The decision was facilitated by a significant “six-figure release fee” agreed upon by the two clubs, making his transition to the French giants a reality.
On his debut for Toulouse, Kinghorn showcased his prowess, scoring two tries as his new team dismantled Cardiff with a resounding 52-7 victory in the Champions Cup. His performance has ignited hopes of silverware, and Kinghorn is determined to seize the opportunity.
“I obviously want to win stuff in my career, and I’ve not been able to do that so far. So, being able to come to such a great club with such great players, having the ability to win trophies, is definitely at the front of my mind,” said Kinghorn during a chat on the Rugby Union Daily podcast.
Breaking away from the comfort zone of his Scottish roots, Kinghorn expressed his eagerness to experience something new and challenge himself. He highlighted the need to avoid complacency, stating, “Sometimes you can get a bit comfy and maybe don’t work as hard. Certainly moving to a new club where you don’t have any reputation, to try to prove yourself again and develop as a player, take the next step in my career. It’s exciting and it’s nerve-wracking.”
For Kinghorn, this move represents a significant shift in his life. “It’s the first time I’ve been away from home, first time I’ve been the new kid at a club, so it’s a good challenge for me, I reckon,” he added.
As his Edinburgh contract was set to expire in the summer, speculations had swirled about Kinghorn possibly joining another Top 14 side, Toulon. However, he revealed that the move to Toulouse came as a pleasant surprise. “There were rumors online that I was going to Toulon, but my agent was like, ‘you’re not going to Toulon, but Toulouse might be interested in you for this season,’ and from there, it came about really quickly,” Kinghorn shared.
The transition, happening in a whirlwind two to three weeks, left him somewhat in disbelief. “I still haven’t really wrapped my head around it, but it all happened within two or three weeks,” he admitted.
Kinghorn also marveled at the passionate rugby culture in Toulouse. “It was strange running out at the weekend in front of a packed stadium – it’s insane out here, the crowd get right behind you, they do rugby properly here,” he said. However, the language barrier posed a unique challenge. “No time to think – straight in. Certainly thrown in at the deep end first couple of meetings. I still have no idea what’s going on; some of the boys translate for me at the back. I just smile and wave. I definitely need to learn French, so I’ve just booked in a lesson with my teacher,” Kinghorn revealed.
Known for his versatility, Kinghorn has played across the back-line at both club and international levels. With France’s full-back, Thomas Ramos, also at Toulouse, questions arose about where Kinghorn would fit in. For now, until he masters the French language and adapts to the systems in place, he believes his best rugby will come while wearing the number 15 jersey.
“For the first wee while, with the language barrier, it’s easier for me playing at the back,” Kinghorn explained. “They see the 10 and 15 playing similar roles here, so they’re not massively different. Calling lineout and organizing the attack, it’s easier at the back until I’ve learned more of the language and the systems they want to run here. Playing behind a great back and having front-foot ball is what all backs want. The big lads deliver the momentum, and then there’s normally quite a lot of space for us.”
As Blair Kinghorn embraces this exciting chapter in his career, rugby fans around the world eagerly anticipate the thrilling performances he is set to deliver on the hallowed turf of Toulouse.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Rugby Transition
Q: Why did Blair Kinghorn decide to leave Edinburgh for Toulouse?
A: Blair Kinghorn left Edinburgh for Toulouse to challenge himself, get out of his comfort zone, and seek the opportunity to win trophies with the French giants.
Q: How did Kinghorn perform in his debut for Toulouse?
A: Kinghorn had a stellar debut, scoring two tries as Toulouse convincingly defeated Cardiff 52-7 in the Champions Cup.
Q: Did Blair Kinghorn expect the move to Toulouse?
A: No, the move came as a surprise to Kinghorn. There were rumors linking him to Toulon, but the opportunity to join Toulouse arose unexpectedly.
Q: What challenges has Kinghorn faced in Toulouse?
A: Kinghorn faces challenges due to the language barrier, being away from home, and adapting to a new club. He’s also adjusting to the differences in rugby culture.
Q: Where does Blair Kinghorn believe he will excel in Toulouse?
A: Due to the language barrier and similarities in roles, Kinghorn believes his best rugby will come as a full-back (wearing the number 15 jersey) in the initial stages of his time at Toulouse.
1 comment
blair kinghorn, wow, cool move 2 toulouse. he scored 2 tries alrdy, that’s amazin. #rugby #excitin