This was my first senior rugby tour I was just 17 years old. There were a few Colts taken on this tour, Jamie Camp was my my room mate when he managed to make back to our room. Other Colts included Ian Fryer, Jason Snell, Ian Smith, Dennis Smith and James Coombes.

I think and our tour dad was Lyndon Foote who looked after us!

We met up at the North Star in Ealing and we all had to have an Easter bonnet which was taken to the limit by Kieran Kelly, Phil Gyetvai and Dave Higgins who were wearing a Hillman Car Bonnet with 3 holes cut in it for their heads.

I remember Jason Snell was sick just as we were leaving the station on the night train up to Edinburgh. It was going to be a long night.

When we arrived in Edinburgh we made our way to our hotel which was called the Hotel Minto which was a building site and we were told we had arrived a bit early…..to be honest we could have been a month late and the hotel would still not be finished. However I’m not sure how but alternative arrangements were made and we ended up a rather swanky hotel in Murrayfield; it had a piano bar ( I’m not sure if they had ever hosted a touring rugby team before or if they have since).

I remember having my room turned over not once but twice must remember to lock the room door at night. I also remember getting changed in the Murrayfield Stadium changing rooms ready to take on Murrayfield Rugby Club and thinking these changing rooms are bigger than our club house at Berkeley Field.

Don’t remember the game but I do remember Mark Witherspoon being stripped naked and gagged with his pants before being tied to the international rugby post by the rope which was meant to keep you off the pitch. The reason why was that he was caught speaking to his girlfriend on the clubhouse pay phone. Harsh but fair.

I also remember the evening hotel entertainment at the piano bar a lady was singing the theme from Cats and certain members of the tour helped out by making the sounds of a screaming Tom Cat. Also the barman enthusiastically describing proudly the history of the wide range of whisky he had, followed by his tears when he poured some out only to be told stick a shot of lime in each them……tour rule all drinks had to have a shot of lime cordial in them.

I remember playing on the wing against Hawick trades. It was wet and cold but I was just happy to play and we won under Dave Horne's captaincy.

These are the memories I have may not be completely accurate but it was a long time ago but what a great time fun and laughs what rugby is all about. I’m sure there was a lot more going on so hopefully some other players will come forward and fill in the gaps. Thanks Fletch