Rugby ace Robert thrilled with Scotland's Six Nations win
A MILNGAVIE rising rugby star was part of the Scottish under 20 team that secured an historic away victory against Italy in the RBS Six Nations junior championship.
Robert Harley, from Craighton Road, is a formidable player who weighs in at 17 stone and stands 6ft 6in tall.
In the most recent Six Nations game on Friday, playing at number five in the second row, he was instrumental in many of the line-outs and helped the Scottish squad score three tries and claim a 18-16 victory in Capoterra, Sardinia.
Robert, who has played in West rugby's first team since he was 16, is no stranger to representing his country. Last year, he was part of the national squad that travelled to Japan for the World Cup.
The former Douglas Academy pupil said: "The under 20 Six Nations runs in parallel with the Six Nations tournament and we play the day before the senior teams in the same country as them. Because of this, the patriotism and energy is just fantastic.
"In Sardinia there were 4,000 spectators and the atmosphere was electric."
Robert is one of a number of up-and-coming young players who are making their mark at junior level and look destined to do so at senior level too.
In the team's previous game against France in Inverness at the beginning of February they earned a fantastic 8-8 draw.
Robert said: "To draw against the French, who are such a good team, shows the quality of the squad we have."
However the teenager, who started playing for West when he was just eight and won the Scottish under 18 Player of the Year in 2008, added: "We have a huge match coming up next Friday when we face England at Firhill.
"This will be a special match because it is in a place where I was brought up and I hope we can come away with the victory."
The Scotland team lost 20-12 to Wales in Cardiff in mid-February, and their last match in the Six Nations competition will be against Ireland at Dubarry Park, Athlone on March 19.
John Beattie, West's senior coach, said Robert was definitely one to watch in the future.
He said: "Robert is a highly intelligent boy and very strong. He came up through West's training scheme and has a great work ethic.
"I have no doubt if he puts in the work he will play for Scotland at the highest level."
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Weather for Milngavie
Wednesday 08 February 2012
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