Kinghorn, from the Top 14 to the Lions: “Motivated to win”

Blair Kinghorn: From Top 14 glory to the British & Irish Lions

A whirlwind of emotions has been experienced by Scottish wing Blair Kinghorn. After lifting the Top 14 trophy with Toulouse, Kinghorn joined the British & Irish Lions in Australia, quickly exchanging champagne for preparation for high-level rugby. Kinghorn, who played the full 100 minutes of the match against Bordeaux-Bègles in Paris, including extra time, celebrated the victory with his team before taking a direct flight to Australia.

We had a great season, but it doesn’t mean much if you don’t win a trophy, so there was a lot of pressure on us, and to come and win it was incredible, and then straight onto a plane here.

Blair Kinghorn

The player described the celebration with his team, families, and sponsors before leaving for the airport.

Upon arriving at his hotel room in Brisbane, Kinghorn found his teammate, Maro Itoje, who immediately greeted him. “I arrived around quarter past twelve and thought ‘surely there won’t be anyone in the room’. I went in, put down my bags, and Maro was sitting on the bed. Obviously I woke him up. He woke up, sat up, shook my hand, and lay back down and went back to sleep,” Kinghorn recounted, laughing.

Kinghorn, who was unable to watch the Lions’ match against Argentina due to his commitment in the Top 14 semi-final, was able to enjoy the first half of the victory over the Western Force. Now, Kinghorn focuses on his debut with the Lions against the NSW Waratahs, preparing for the challenge with enthusiasm. “Everyone is here to give their best and win the series of matches and have a successful tour. Every training session is going to be competitive, everyone is motivated. That’s what you want, that brings out the best in people. If you’re not motivated to be here, then you shouldn’t be here. I don’t think it’s difficult. It’s not difficult at all,” he concluded.