Bill Lothian: New faces have the X Factor

This column would never lay claim to a sage mentality . . . but fortunately we do know a few rugby people who have their ear to the ground and over the past few years have kindly shared talent-spotting abilities for Evening News readers.

So, as a rich crop of young talent bursts on to the current Edinburgh professional scene, and in the case of David Denton, one cap, it proved irresistible to look back at when these tyros first came on the ‘News’ rugby radar and note the predictions made for individuals who have all worn Edinburgh colours either this season or last.

STUART McINALLY caught the eye going into a Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools Cup Final and on January 25, 2008, Andrew Ker – coach of the Watson’s College side the player already known as “Rambo” captained – made an intriguing comparison with a former Scotland captain he had previously coached: “Stuart hits people like Jason White. Although currently playing No. 8 Stuart’s long-term future could be as a blindside flanker where he has the potential to be exceptional.

“He reads the game really well and rarely loses possession.

“He is very much his own man and if he decides to commit to rugby could go a long way.”

Later in 2008 (November 21) we began to be captivated by the mercurial skills of TOM BROWN as he stepped into senior rugby with Edinburgh Accies whose development officer, Iain Berthinussen, knows a thing or two about back play.

Said Iain: “Tom is one to watch out for. He’s got plenty of pace and bags of enthusiasm to make things happen.”