Lee joins Selkirk rugby greats
John Smail • Published 5 Apr 2012 09:30
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SELKIRK Rugby Club's Philiphaugh clubrooms were packed to overflowing on Saturday as members and supporters gathered for a special lunch in honour of the club's latest internationalist Lee Jones.
He became the 13th Selkirk player to win a Scotland cap when selected for the Calcutta Cup match at Murrayfield in February, and was joined at the lunch by six of the club's ex-internationalists - Jim Inglis, Ron Cowan, John Rutherford, Iain Paxton, Iwan Tukalo and Graham Marshall.
Selkirk President Eric Forster welcomed the 190 members and guests, paying tribute to the talented wing's achievement in progressing from the club's mini-rugby ranks right through to full international honours. Lee's two mini-rugby coaches - Les Millar and Alan Tough - received a rousing reception when introduced to the company.
SRU President Ian McLauchlan made a special appearance at the lunch to add his congratulations, while an insight into how the world of international rugby has changed over the past 60 years came when Jim Inglis and Lee Jones each spoke about the vastly different build-ups to their respective international debuts.
Master of ceremonies John Rutherford called on Iwan Tukalo - Lee's international mentor - to present the talented Edinburgh wing with a piece of engraved glass on behalf of all his friends at Philiphaugh.
Lee thanked everyone for the gift and for their kind words, and said he was very proud to be joining Selkirk's roll call of international players. Lee's parents, Michael and Maureen, sister Nikki and grandmother Hazel were all present to share his special moment.
After Selkirk's match against Falkirk, 1st XV captain Neil Darling presented Lee with his international photo, which the pair then hung in the Philiphaugh Suite alongside the official photographs of the club's other 12 Scotland players.
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