RECOGNITION on two fronts has seen Blair Kinghorn’s stock rise this season. While playing club and international rugby could make or break many a 21-year-old, its appears to have been the making of the Edinburgh full-back and latterly Scotland winger.
The fact he can be utilised in two positions – three if you count stand-off – is a bonus for all parties with a stake in the 6’5” back. Indeed, such is his stature that one ex-international quipped the other week that it could confuse the opposition seeing a back-row forward on the wing. Now, that is taking it a bit too far.
For now, especially with a European Challenge Cup quarter-final against Cardiff on the horizon, all of Kinghorn's focus is on being the best 15 he can be, and, maintaining his near-vertical learning curve.
“I am really, really enjoying this season so far,” he says, slightly bemused that he could be after some ropey performances last year. “I feel like we are playing much better rugby this year and we’re winning, which makes you happy. Last year we didn’t have the best run of games, run of form personally. This year the team are performing really well, we are backing up week to week and training well and we are getting the results come game time,” says Kinghorn, who says seeing more of the ball – on his terms – has helped.
“It’s the brand of rugby that we are playing, it’s been working really well. The back three and the centres are getting the ball in some space after the forwards are doing the hard yards for us.
"I think our work rate this year is better, on the field and off the field. I feel like we are putting in the hard yards behind closed doors whether that is on the field or off the field, doing reviews and analysis and stuff like that.
“The consistency of training, the consistency of work rate throughout the whole season has been right up there and that in line with our results. We have been consistently backing up. We are a good team in that we can turn over big teams. We are always in the final 10 minutes, and I think that is due to our mentality; getting a bit of dog in us and just consistently working hard.”
While hard work and dedication will always bring reward, eventually, so does working with and listening to the right people. On Scotland duty, Kinghorn – who can now boast being an international try scorer after his touchdown against Ireland – says he was learned for his Glasgow counterpart, Stuart Hogg.
“It was really great to learn from experienced players in my position such as Hoggy who was really helpful on small little things around the park, like communication etc. So, yeah, really, really helpful. It’s been a really great experience, in camp learning off everyone, players in my position and the experienced players. It was a different challenge on the wing but a challenge that I really liked. All the back three are kind of connected in a way so it wasn’t too hard to slot in, the roles are quite similar. It was just learning a specific place on the pitch but, no, I really, really enjoyed my time in camp and looking forward to getting stuck back in with Edinburgh.”
There is no doubt either that being mentored closer to home has also has the desired effect on Kinghorn’s progress. And that daily input and injection of belief – and a bit of that "dog" - comes from Edinburgh head coach Richard Cockrill.
“He tells you how it is, you can trust him if he says ‘we are good enough to turn this team over’, then you believe that we can because the work we have put in throughout the week has put us in the best position to perform on the weekend,” says Kinghorn.
“Come every weekend we have ticked all the boxes and we just know that we are ready to play.
“That is something that he has brought. He always tests you mentally, every week. Some of the stuff we are doing is tough and it does test you but that creates good character in you.
“When it gets tough in games you know that all the boys around you are with you and working together as a team and the opposition is definitely feeling worse.”
Kinghorn appears to have plenty of trust in Cockerill. So, what would happen if he – like Gregor Townsend – says you are on the wing?
Blair laughs loudly. “Definitely, wherever I am wanted to play, I’ll play.
“I don’t mind covering 10, but I am really enjoying full-back at the minute and I am trying to put my stamp on that position. But if the coach wants me to play on the wing, I’ll play on the wing. If he wants me to play at fifteen, I’ll play at fifteen. If I’m not involved, I’m not involved. I’m happy to play wherever they want.”
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