Edinburgh lock out to end two-year exile and ignite Scotland Rugby World Cup dream
Former Newcastle and Harlequins forward targeting strong URC season with capital club to catch Gregor Townsend’s eye.
Edinburgh lock Glen Young wants to represent Scotland at next year’s Rugby World Cup in Australia, having been out of the international picture since 2024.
The 31-year-old, who has four caps to his name, says he “isn't getting any younger” and believes next year’s tournament will be his best chance to fulfil that dream. In terms of getting there, the Jedburgh native knows it all starts with a strong club season.
Sean Everitt’s side kick off their 2026/27 URC campaign away to Ulster later this month and will face one of Young’s old clubs, Harlequins, in a pre-season friendly at Twickenham Stoop this Friday. The former Newcastle man plans to put his best foot forward at the Hive over the next 10 months and hopes that success there can lead to national team recognition.
“I’d love to go” - Edinburgh lock has Rugby World Cup ambition but knows chances hang on club form
“I wouldn't shy away from saying it would be a goal,” said Young. “You'll be silly if you said you didn't want to play in a World Cup. Realistically I am not getting any younger so if I was to go to one, this is probably my best chance to go to one now.
“It just goes hand in hand with playing well for Edinburgh. I am a big believer in you can only control the controllables. We have got some good locks here who will drive each other on and obviously I would love to go (to a RWC). It would be such a cool experience.”
Scotland have a wealth of options to call upon in the second row with British & Irish Lion Scott Cummings having played some of the best rugby of his career at Glasgow Warriors and for the national team last season. Warriors also have Gregor Brown, Alex Samuel and Max Williamson, who were all included in Gregor Townsend’s most recent squad selection.
Young will first have to nail down his place in the Edinburgh team and will have the opportunity to do that in the early stages of the new campaign with veteran counterpart Grant Gilchrist currently out with an injury.
“We’re still leaning on his experience,” said Young on the 88 cap Scotland veteran. “I think we've got a good group of us in me, him, Sykesy (Marshall Sykes), Chunts (Callum Hunter-Hill) and then some of the young lads coming through. We work together, especially me, Gilko and Sykesy who have been here together for five, six years now, with Stevie (Lawrie) as the coach.
“We know each other's strengths and we know how each other works. Even when Gilko's injured, he's always helping me out in ways that he can help, we'll be lucky when he comes back, but hopefully I'll get a bit of game time and put my hand up.”
Edinburgh lock aiming to ‘enjoy’ season and not worry about expiring contract
Young also has his future beyond this season to think about after signing a one-year extension with the capital club this summer. He admitted that it might have been something that prayed on his mind earlier in his career but, much like international honours, he believes playing well will see things like a new contract take care of themselves.
“As I said, I'm a big believer in controlling the controllables. I believe that if you put the work in and play well then it'll take care of itself.
“It's just having that plan away from the field too that just takes the pressure off a little bit, so I’m always just chipping away at that. I was more stressed about it a couple of years ago when I didn't really have a plan away from rugby, but I'm just enjoying it.
“There's no point going into each year stressed about what you're going to do because, as I said, this could be my last year. If this is my last year, I'm going to make sure I enjoy it.
“I had that same attitude last year when we were playing away in games, playing away in France. I was like, ‘this could be the last time you play away in France’. It's quite liberating to have that attitude.
“You play a bit more freely, but it doesn't mean you're doing stupid things or anything. It just means taking the pressure off yourself and just enjoying the moment and putting your all into it, really.
“You have to keep yourself fit and be available as much as possible because if you're available to play and you're playing well, then that's half the battle. Just trying to keep fit, trying to stay on top of your rehab, your recovery, be consistent with those behaviours and that hopefully breeds onto the pitch.”
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