Mat Rae sees potential and aims to lead the Eagles to the top.

Perthshire 1XV have appointed Mat Rae as their new Captain for the remainder of this season and going forward to 2021-22. Mat started his rugby in the Perthshire Midi section before progressing to the Seniors where he has played over 11 years, including as part of the league winning team in 2013-14 and was the 1XV Player of the Year 2020.

He is ambitious for the next campaign, whenever it can begin, and is enthused about the prospective team he will lead – with a strong current core to be augmented by an exciting crop of Colts coming up after the summer and new players joining.

Following confirmation of his selection Mat said, “I couldn’t believe it when Clarky asked me! It’s been something I’ve wanted to do since I started playing. When I joined the Senior section there were a lot of older inspirational guys who played, many who now still come down to support. I’d love to give them and the wider Club good games to watch and to feel like the Club is moving in the right direction.”

“To get there I’d love to have the lads as physically and mentally prepared as possible. Clarky’s Rugby School and Val taking our S&C classes over Zoom are getting us in shape. We’ve discussed tactics and decided how we want to play as a squad and as players we’re keeping each other motivated despite the difficulties of lockdown.”

Head Coach Alan Clark is sure Mat will rise to the challenge saying, “Mat was the obvious choice for 1XV Captain this year for me. Over the past 2-3 seasons he’s really developed into a leader on and off the pitch. He has the respect of coaches and players alike and wears his jersey with pride every time he puts it on. What’s also abundantly clear to is the way he cares about the Perthshire family – something he’s proven time and again over the past 18 months. I’m personally very excited about what Mat can bring to the job!

Mat takes over the captaincy from Ryan Miller who has returned to Jedburgh. Thanking him for his 7 years with the Eagles (4 as 1XV Captain) Clarky said, “Ryan has been a terrific captain, player and friend since he came to Perthshire. Having someone with a similar rugby background as captain since I became Head Coach has been great for me and Ryan has been massively supportive of what we’ve been trying to do with the Men’s squad. As a captain Ryan leaves us in a better place than we have been for a number of years and I’d like to thank him for the time and effort he’s put in to building a positive culture with our young squad. I wish him, Lucy and Ruaridh all the best for whatever comes next!”

Looking forward to the return of training, then matches, Mat is in bullish mood, “Individually we have a huge amount of talent and potential, if we can link together and play as a team, I believe we can do a lot of damage. There’s no reason why we can’t win the majority, if not all, our games!”

All players, of any ability and experience, are welcome to come and join Perthshire. New and returning players keen to play 1st or 2nd XV rugby are encouraged to contact Alan Clark headcoach@perthshire-rfc.co.uk and get involved with the exciting season ahead.