Chris Kinloch, the former Scotland Sevens player, is intent on helping new boys Ealing Trailfinders cause a few upsets in the Greene King IPA English Championship this season.
Kinloch, 23, was one of a number of summer arrivals at the ambitious London club, including his fellow Scot Ruairi McLeod, and they start their campaign this weekend against London Scottish in part of a double header at Saracens' Allianz Park, where London Welsh will take on Bedford Blues.
Kinloch, usually a centre or wing, cannot wait to get going. "It has been a long pre-season and the squad are really looking forward to finally getting a league match under our belts," he said. "Many people are tipping us to be the whipping boys in this division, but we believe we can compete and we have confidence in ourselves and know we have the players to hurt teams."
Kinloch's journey to Ealing has been an interesting one. He was selected for the Scotland Sevens squad while still at school in early 2007 for tournaments in Wellington and San Diego.
After attending and playing for Fettes College, he was invited to the Scottish Rugby Academy and played for Edinburgh Accies before earning a move to Glasgow Warriors. While on the fringes of the Warriors squad, he starred for Currie in their title-winning top-flight campaign of 2009/10.
He earned several Scotland Under-20 caps in 2008, when the side was captained by Lewis Calder, now a back-row at London Scottish and a potential opponent this weekend.
Kinloch travelled south in 2010 to undertake a three-year sports science degree at Loughborough University, where he also played for the student side. He captained the side last season when he played every match. "Moving to Loughborough was great for me and I really enjoyed the rugby there," he said. "We managed to get into National 1 for 2012/13 after two years in National 2 North and that was a good level.
"I played against Ealing twice last year as a result and, after they went on to win the league, I was given the chance to link up with the club along with [Loughborough team-mate] Andy Hall and it was a good opportunity. The club have ambitious plans and great facilities. I am working as a community coach going into local primary schools and getting them interested in the sport."
The latest in a long line of Scots to have taken the road south to English rugby's second tier, his progress will be watched closely by many north of the border.
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