EDINBURGH prop Geoff Cross has pointed to his personal experience as evidence that the players who line up in Saturday's Scottish Hydro Electric Cup final can use the occasion to press their claims for a full-time contract.
The 25-year-old featured in the Heriot's side that lifted the silverware at Murrayfield in 2003 and he believes that the success played a part in him subsequently being signed by the Borders.
Offering advice to all of the players who will take th
e field on finals day, Cross said, "Opportunity knocks. It is certainly easier to get ahead in rugby if you are successful in getting into finals and winning games. So I would say it is a springboard and it's the type of opportunity that you should take if you can. It's a great chance and they should take it because they are in a shop window. Obviously, if you perform well and you are seen to be making the right decisions under pressure you can demonstrate that this is something you can do for a living. It's a good life and a good job and you get rewarded for it."
Asked how big a part the cup success played in sealing the deal, Cross added, "I was never told but I'm sure it must have been. There were lots of thing going on in that year – 2003 – I was still in age-group rugby, I was doing some work with the Scottish Institute of Sport and I was part of the Borders Rugby Academy.
"There were all sorts of things I was doing to give myself the best chance and one of the things I was doing was playing rugby with Heriot's. I am sure it helped. Quite how much it helped I don't know."
Of his colleagues in the squad that eclipsed Watsonians 25-13, Matt Dey, Ander Monro and skipper Rory Lawson have also gone on to make a career in the sport, while Jamie Mayer, Andrew Turnbull, Bernie Hennessey and Sean Tomes from the 'Sonians team also moved into the pro ranks.
Cross moved to Edinburgh on loan in December 2006 and had his contract confirmed last summer.
After starting for Andy Robinson's side while the recognised first-choice men were in World Cup action at the start of the season, the qualified doctor has been used as an impact player.
He forced his way into the reckoning for tomorrow night's fixture away to Neath/Swansea Ospreys with a major contribution after coming off the bench in the 15-13 win over leaders Leinster two weeks ago. And Robinson's hand was forced by injuries to Gavin Kerr, Craig Smith and Allan Jacobsen.
However, there is no suggestion that Cross, who also played in the 13-13 home draw against EDF Cup winners Ospreys earlier in the season, has been selected solely as a result of the misfortune of his fellow front rowers.
"The coach says he has put me in because of my performances in training and when I have come off the bench", he explained. "He is now looking for the same performances as I have produced when I've come off the bench. That's the challenge he has laid down for me."
The Borderer believes he has made significant progress this season and is ready to help Edinburgh bid for a second win in Wales this season and in the process take a step closer to their highest-ever league finish.
"I think I've come on enough to merit the chance I've been given.
"Things that have been holding me back such as my performances in defence are better than they were", he added before admitting that he is not yet the finished article although he is desperate to identify flaws and remedy them.
"When you fix one thing something else becomes the weakest link and you have to keep moving on a refining it.
"Half the fun is working out what the next bit is then fixing it – it's an iterative process."
With Scotland touring in the summer and the A team contesting the Churchill Cup, good performances tomorrow and again against Llanelli Scarlets at Stradey Park on May 10 could force him into the reckoning.
However, Cross is not looking that far ahead although clearly he has not ruled out the possibility, saying: "My main job at the minute is to perform for Edinburgh.
"That is the cake and cakes have icing on them but that's what I'm focusing on just now because that is what's happening next."
The full article contains 765 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
