Murray bags player of year award

Scotland’s outstanding lock-forward Scott Murray has earned The Famous Grouse Scotland Player of the Season award for this season.

Murray, who debuted for Scotland in the 1997 fixture against Australia, is now widely regarded as one of the finest exponents of lineout play in world rugby.

This is the second time that the Musselburgh-born former Scottish Schools basketball player has clinched this prestigious award following an outstanding season during Scotland’s Five Nations Championship-winning campaign of 1998-99.

He is the first Scotland player to win the award twice.

Murray collected his trophy at Murrayfield today and said: ‘‘I am delighted to receive this season’s award and very proud that I am the first player to have won it twice.

‘‘The award is voted for by the Scottish media so it is great to receive the recognition from them.’’