Scotland great Jacobsen: Watching us beat England in 1990 inspired me to ...

SCOTLAND

rugby legend Allan Jacobsen admits seeing Scotland win the Grand Slam in 1990 set him on the path to a glorious career in the game.

The record-breaking prop, known as Chunk, recently retired after a 14-year career with Edinburgh and officially bowed out of the professional game with a charity testimonial

game at the weekend.

And the 34-year-old is looking forward to the next chapter of his career, playing with Watsonians as he tries to build up his plumbing and heating

engineer business.

Jacobsen,

who won 65 caps for his country, said: “I’m very proud to have represented Scotland and Edinburgh for so many years. I achieved more than I could ever have dreamed.

“Playing

in a charity testimonial on Saturday for my hometown club, Preston Lodge, against Pigbarians was the perfect way to bow out.

“We

raised a lot of money for the Dreamz4u children’s charity, who make an incredible contribution to the community and do some unbelievable stuff that should be better publicised.

“There

was a very good turnout. The lunch before the game was a complete sell-out and there was a massive buzz during the match itself. I’d imagine the sunny weather helped to boost the attendance.

“I also enjoyed scoring a couple of tries in our 48-27 victory. It’s been more than a year since I got one, so it helped me enjoy the day even more.

“It was a great laugh and I’m very proud to have participated. I’ll be feeling a bit sore this week because

I’ve not done much since the end of last season with Edinburgh.”

Jacobsen

acknowledged that playing in Prestonpans on Saturday meant his illustrious career had come full circle, given it all started for him at

the Pennypit when he was a young boy. He added: “I grew up in the town and joined the local club when I was only six years old, so it seemed very fitting that I got to play in my testimonial at the ground 28 years

later.

“I played with the local Preston Lodge team until I was 19 when I turned professional to play with Edinburgh, so I obviously have a massive affection for the club.

“I’ve lived in the capital for a few years but I’m back in Prestonpans now, so I’m part of the community again.

“It was a strange feeling walking into the changing rooms on Saturday after such a long gap.

“It

was a very emotional occasion all round. I had a fair few lifelong friends and colleagues in the crowd, which made it even more special.

“Me and a few of the boys went for a few pints later on, so that rounded off the day perfectly.

“I

know the testimonial officially ended my professional career but to be honest, I got my head round that a long time ago, so it didn’t really feel like the end of an era.”

Jacobsen

admitted that, in international terms, nothing could really match taking part in Scotland’s shock 15-9 victory over England in the Calcutta Cup at Murrayfield in 2008.

He

said: “I watched Scotland win the Grand Slam against England at Murrayfield when I was 11 years old in 1990, and I knew from that moment

on that my biggest ambition in life would be to beat the English in a rugby international.

“Rugby in Scotland wasn’t even professional then, and I was too young to have any real notion of a career, but that afternoon was so exciting and inspiring that I had the goal when I was still at primary school.

“So to be in the team that won the Calcutta Cup 18 years later was definitely the pinnacle of my international career.

“There

were quite a few other highlights. Beating Australia the same year was a

big one, and two years later we beat South Africa just a few days after

getting hammered by the All Blacks.

“Those are the ones that really stick out. Victory is always sweeter when you are expected to lose.”

Jacobsen also carved out a 286-game career with Edinburgh Rugby.

Indeed,

he was so well thought of that, when he retired, the club announced it would create a new trophy, fashioned from a mould of his cauliflower right ear, for their “most dedicated” player.

He

added: “I had as good a club career as anyone could be expected to have

in the modern era, with far too many highlights to mention, but you know when it’s time to move on and that time arrived for me last season.

“I’m looking forward to hooking up with Watsonians. The season starts at the end of August, so it will be a

fresh challenge for me at a lower level.

“There are a few guys at Sonians who I know from my Edinburgh days – Jason White, Barry Stewart and Marcus Di Rollo.

“The club are being quite flexible with me because I am building up my business, so I don’t have to turn up

for all training sessions.

“I’m

qualified as a plumber and heating engineer. I did a four-year apprenticeship a while ago but all my qualifications had lapsed, so I did refresher courses.

“I’m getting plenty of work just now but I’d never turn anything down. Hopefully my status as a former Scotland international will help get the

word out to a lot more people.”

Article source: http://www.sportal.com.au/rugby-union-news-display/leallifano-calls-on-national-experience-244064

Scotland great Jacobsen: Watching us beat England in 1990 inspired me to ...