Damien Hoyland: Coffee business helped me through the rehab grind says Edinburgh winger

When the months of rehab became a grind for Damien Hoyland, the Edinburgh winger was glad he had his coffee business to fall back on.

The 28-year-old made his comeback from a long-term knee injury against Ulster last weekend and made it a week to remember by signing a new contract with his hometown club on Wednesday.

Having missed a large chunk of the campaign, Hoyland is now looking forward to playing his part in the season’s climax as Edinburgh chase glory on two fronts.

Having had to contend with a number of injuries in his career he admits the long lay-offs can prey on your mind and any diversion is welcome. He had always enjoyed going out for coffee with his Edinburgh team-mates but he took his interest up a notch in 2016 when he attended a barista class at the city’s Brew Lab.

He then got in tow with a local coffee roaster, Eoin Henderson, and started his own business selling beans online, Ruck Coffee, with teammate Stuart McInally.

Hoyland has now branched out and his ‘Damo’s Coffee’ stall has been a regular fixture at Edinburgh home games this season, with the player himself serving the supporters.

“It’s proving to be pretty popular,” said Hoyland. “I wasn’t sure how it was going to go - would people like flat whites at night? But everyone seems to be enjoying it.

“It’s brilliant having something else to focus on. In the past, when I haven’t, you do start getting anxious about things, like am I going to play again? What’s going to happen with selection? Am I going to be good? All that kind of stuff.

“It’s better to have something else to focus on, to take your mind off it and the coffee stuff has been brilliant. I’ve absolutely loved it.

“I’ve done a few shifts. Being injured allowed me the opportunity and it’s