It is shaping up to be a big couple of weeks in Ben Johnston’s fledgling rugby career.
The 21-year-old back-row will firstly play for Marr this coming weekend at GHA with the Troon men knowing one point will be enough for them to clinch the BT National League Division One title.
Then on Sunday, Johnston will fly off with Scottish select side the PROJECX Waterboys to play in the Hong Kong 10s on April 5 and 6.
Having come through the ranks at Marr College, Johnston went straight into the senior section at Marr a few years back alongside his twin brother Angus and a number of others.
They soon adapted to life in first XV rugby and the group have grown up and become key components of the outfit that have climbed the leagues in recent years.
After one season, he was already trying to force his way into the Scotland Under-20 ranks and felt playing for Ayr in the BT Premiership would give him a better chance of doing achieving that goal.
Niggling injuries dashed his age-grade hopes, though, and made his time at Ayr a bit "stop-start", but he learnt a lot at Millbrae from the experienced players around him.
He has been back at Marr since the start of the 2015/16 campaign and it coincided with the club’s highest ever finish.
He played a big part in that and, as a result, was named BT National League Division One player of the year at the Scottish Rugby Awards at the end of last season.
On Saturday, the Fullarton Park men took a giant leap towards their BT Premiership dream with a 76-0 victory over Musselburgh.
“My career highlights include representing Scotland at Under-18 level in the FIRA championship, winning the Scottish Schools Plate and also winning National One player of the year, but to get to the top flight with Marr would top everything,” Johnston said.
“It’s been a great season for Marr this year and we know promotion is within touching distance.
“However, we don't want to seem complacent and we're fully aware of how easy it would be to slip at the last hurdle. We’ve got a really strong set-up down at Marr and the results this season are down to the hard work and commitment shown by both the players and coaching staff alike.
“A lot of us have grown up together and we put everything in when we pull on a Marr shirt.
“As for the Hong Kong trip, well it will be my first experience with the Waterboys.
“It's a great honour to be selected and a fantastic team to be a part of. Although, it did come as a bit of a shock only getting the call up less than two weeks before we're departing. However, I was absolutely ecstatic to receive the invite.
“I don't have much experience in the 10s game, but I'm looking forward to the challenge.
“We have a great team going, made up of some of the best players from the Premiership and National One so hopefully we can go over there and showcase the high quality of Scottish club rugby.
“Hong Kong offers some of the best sevens and 10s tournaments in the world, with the standard of rugby being exceptionally high, but with the team we've got I'm confident we can go over there and get a positive result.
“With some of the pace the Waterboys possess out wide I think we'll be aiming to play a high tempo attacking style. We've got a good mix of pace and power, so hopefully we can score some good tries and play an exciting brand of rugby.”
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