Scotland rugby stars have chance encounter with Ewan McGregor - and he asks for photo

The prop was with his Edinburgh and Scotland team-mate Duhan van der Merwe when they met McGregor who, in turn, is a follower of the national team and was at Murrayfield for the recent match with Argentina.

Not even the presence of Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Jedi mind tricks could rescue that match as the Pumas came from 21-0 down to win 33-24 but Schoeman enjoyed the time spent with the actor, who grew up in Crieff.

And he hopes some of McGregor’s success will rub off on his and van der Merwe’s whisky business, the pair having produced a single Speyside malt called Hirundine.

“We were just on an off day there in Dunkeld and I believe he has a house there somewhere,” explained Schoeman of his meeting with the Hollywood A-lister. “He was filming some things for Nat Geo Wild.

“Me and Duhi spoke to him a bit. He's obviously very successful. It's almost like our story! He went also against the grain. He went to America, to the film industry, and he's made a massive success of it as well. Not only America, various countries.”

Schoeman says he is a big fan of McGregor’s oeuvre. “Star Wars, Trainspotting, I immediately recognised him,” said the loosehead. “He's also a very wise man. Obviously in his culture and art but also around other things about life.

“He's actually sober. We did give him whisky for some of his family. They love whisky. He loves everything Scottish.

“He was at the Argentina game as well, but he doesn't like to be bothered, you know. He just wants to watch in peace in his chair. We said, ‘look, come in the team room’ and he's like, ‘no, I'll just chill. I want to just watch you guys support and enjoy with my friends and family’ and fair enough. But he did ask us for a photo!”

Schoeman posted said picture on his social media with a few inspiring words and he’ll be hoping the good vibes continue into Sunday when Edinburgh host Toulon in their opening match of this season’s Investec Champions Cup.

The capital side huffed and puffed their way to a victory over an under-strength Ospreys last week in the URC but will need to be a lot better against Toulon who are riding high in the French Top 14. Schoeman thinks it is the sort of big-game occasion which will suit van der Merwe. The winger had a difficult autumn, being dropped by Scotland for the first time in his career, but Schoeman has no doubts he will bounce back.

"I always tell people this. He runs 100 metres barefoot on wet grass under 10 seconds, so he's always on it. He's electrifying and powerful and the way he trains is just massive credit to him. He's really professional on and off the pitch.

"I think with his mindset, these are the games that he's been built for. You know, the big Toulon game. That's when you unleash the big racehorses and you put your money on them."