Livingston World Cup ace hoping to inspire West Lothian kids with place in Scotland squad

Luke Crosbie hopes that his selection for Scotland’s Rugby World Cup squad “inspires the next generation of young kids” from West Lothian to dream big, writes Gary Heatly.

The 26-year-old Edinburgh Rugby man was named in the 33-strong group by national team head coach Gregor Townsend last week for the showpiece event which takes place in France in September and October.

And the back-rower, who moved to Mid Calder when he was quite young, wants his rise to show others from the same area that hard work can get you places in your chosen sport.

“Looking at the bigger picture, I hope my selection inspires the next generation of young kids from West Lothian to see that it is possible to dream,” Crosbie said.

“When I started playing rugby at Livingston RFC and was then at West Calder High School if you’d said to me that I’d be going to a World Cup one day I would not have believed you.

“To reach this level makes me really proud and it is a credit to everyone else around me that has helped me get this far, my parents and my partner all support me on and off the field.

“And the people at the rugby club in Livingston put in so much work with me when I was younger to make sure that I was enjoying the game and that I was learning and getting better.

“The club holds a special place in my heart for sure.”

When he was nine-years-old Crosbie, who now has five full caps to his name after a debut in 2022, was out for a walk with his dad and that is when he discovered rugby.

They stumbled across a Livingston match and young Crosbie was hooked, heading down to junior training soon after. His dad got hooked too with Crosbie saying: “My family come to a lot of games and my dad and my uncle are always pretty easy to spot in the stands - if you