INSPIRATIONAL new Rams RFC signing Morgan Macrae is relishing a fresh start following a roller-coaster couple of years.
The Reading-born hooker – who can also play in the back row – worked his way through the Wasps junior section before signing an Academy contract with Scarlets, then going onto make his international debut for Wales Sevens in January, 2022.
However, disaster struck as he suffered a serious Achilles injury in the opening game, and having returned to boyhood club Henley Hawks, worse was to follow in August of the following year.
It was then the former Oratory School student suffered a cardiac arrest while sleeping, his girlfriend Kitty performing CPR which kept him alive.
But a miraculous recovery – plus the installation of an internal defibrillator – incredibly saw McRae back playing in National Two South before the end of last season, featuring six times for Hawks as he became the first semi or professional player to perform with an S-ICD defibrillator fitted.
Blessed with the chance to go again and as our first off-season signing, he said: “I can’t wait for the opportunity to start afresh.
Joining a club like Rams, who’ve come so close to promotion in the last couple of years, pipped at the post both times, to have the chance to try and help do it this year is so exciting.
“I want to see where the club can go – everyone is clear with their intentions they want to be a Championship side – and I can’t wait to be part of a squad of players who try to do that.”
Having started his rugby career at Hawks aged five, McRae moved to Dubai for a period where he played for Arabian Knights, but the chance to drive things forward in the local area is one which he admitted particularly excites him.
He continued: “You don’t often get the chance to represent two high-quality clubs on your doorstep, so to have the opportunity so close to home brings a sense of pride.
“Even though Rams wasn’t my childhood club, it’s special to represent a local team which has come up through the ranks and does wonders for the community – they’ve really united people with the support they get.”
Looking back on a tough past 12 months, the 22-year-old continued: “It’s coming up to just under a year ago it happened, and I did not expect after August 13 and the cardiac arrest that I’d ever be playing rugby again.
“But to get back on the pitch with Henley last year was absolutely incredible and something I’ll be forever grateful for, however now it’s a fresh page at a club where lots of people don’t know me and I can’t wait to get going.
“I went to school with (Ollie) Monye and played all my Academy stuff with him, I know a few others who I’ve played either with or against at age-group level, but equally I’m just excited to make new friends and new connections.
“I’m buzzing to meet everyone and try and stamp my mark on the team, and I’ve got another crack at the dream of playing top-quality rugby which I thought was over.
“After everything which has happened in the past couple of years, it’s nice to be able to turn a new page.”
Describing his style of play and motivation ahead of his debut campaign at Old Bath Road, Morgan ended: “I love playing with the ball and attacking on the edge – I’m not the biggest player in the world, but I try to use my agility and speed to catch the opposition out.
“I can’t wait to embed with the boys and fight with them to try and achieve that Championship spot.
“The guys who’ve been there for a while want it and if I can help that dream become a reality then I’ll have done my job.”
