Learning from Lions and reconnecting with Aberdeen roots: the rise of Scotland's Gregor Brown

Mike Biggar, Jason White, Chris Cusiter, Ruaridh Jackson and Sarah Bonar spring to mind and Gregor Brown can be now comfortably placed alongside those greats from the Granite City.

The versatile forward has packed a lot into a short time and has quickly become a trusted performer for both Franco Smith at Glasgow Warriors and Gregor Townsend with Scotland.

Brown, 24, was part of the Warriors side that beat the Bulls in the URC final in South Africa in 2024 and his first cap soon followed, against Canada on Scotland’s summer tour. He made his Six Nations bow last year when he came off the bench against Italy and helped steady the ship as the Italians threatened to claw their way back into the game.

Comfortable in the back row or at lock, Brown has moved from impact sub to starter for Scotland more recently. He partnered Grant Gilchrist against France in Paris in last season’s Six Nations decider then started at six in the autumn games with New Zealand and Argentina.

Learning from the Lions

There was also the small matter of a call-up for the British and Irish Lions and Brown played in the match against the First Nations & Pasifika XV in Melbourne after being summoned from Scotland’s tour party in New Zealand.

“I think being in an environment with the best players in the world, learning from them and seeing how they manage themselves and coming into things at really short notice and having to kind of get up to speed really quickly was good for me,” he reflects on his time with Andy Farrell’s squad.

“When you're making your Glasgow debut it's a big step up, Scotland’s another step up again, the Lions another step up again. So there's all these steps throughout your career and the goal is to keep trying to work towards being a better player and those different environments do help you push yourself, definitely.”

Brown is likely to be a key player when Scotland take on Italy in Rome a week on Saturday in this season’s Six Nations opener. The Azzurri beat the Scots at Stadio Olimpico two years ago and there is a growing sense of anticipation in Italy that they can do it again, with the game heading for a sell-out.

“Their form obviously at home is really good and they're filling out that stadium now,” said Brown “It's definitely going to be a big challenge and we know that.

“We're very switched on to that. I think it's important that we look at the threats that they bring and how we can try and mitigate that. This week has been very much more about our stuff. It's difficult getting loads of boys coming from different teams to be back singing on the same hymn sheet.

“So we have been ironing out those little crinkles and I'm sure next week we'll have a deeper dive into Italy.”

Having helped Scotland beat Italy last year, Brown would love to do the double: “It was great coming on at such a crucial point and having the trust from Gregor and the coaches in that regard. Coming on, trying to bring energy and winning that day was a really important thing for us and there are some good memories.”

Brown stirred some memories from longer ago earlier this month when he linked up with his old school, Robert Gordon's College, to present the rugby team with their jerseys before the U18 Schools Shield final against Dollar at Murrayfield. Gordon’s won 26-21 to make it an even more special occasion for the team

“It made me feel like I was at school again seeing all of them!” said Brown. “My mate Rory Riddle is the head coach for the school first team so he dropped me a message and it was cool coming across and presenting them their jerseys, I mean they were staying here [at Oriam] which was mental, I never had that when I was at school!

“I think especially coming from Aberdeen it's not really a massive rugby place. At my school we have Ruaridh Jackson, Chris Cusiter and I think I'm the next one to play for Scotland since then.

“It's great seeing them do well on a national stage in front of some pretty important eyes, I think it's just great, great for boys up there and a credit to my mate Rory as well.

“He keeps it real fun and engaged. I can imagine it's quite hard getting 16-year-olds to give up their Saturdays if they're not that interested so he does a really good job with them and they all absolutely love being a part of that group, I could tell that in one afternoon of meeting them.”