Hey Chris, what’s your story?
I recently hung up my boots from pro rugby, wrapping up my whole career with the Glasgow Warriors from 2010 to 2021. I also had the honor of repping Scotland four times. Now, I’m back in Fife, not far from my old stomping grounds. I’ve joined the family business, Luvians, a chain of stores that sell top-notch whiskies, wines, beers, and even make their own ice cream. I’ve got a wife, Katie, and three kids, Sofia, Freddie, and Nora.
So, what led you to the world of pro rugby?
Honestly, mate, I didn’t plan on becoming a pro rugby player. I had some good times with the Howe of Fife and Bell Baxter High School teams. Then, when I was studying Chemical Engineering at Edinburgh Uni, I joined Heriots rugby club. After getting a shot at 7’s rugby for Scotland in my first year at uni, I eventually got signed to the national academy, where I trained for a couple of years. That paved the way for my gig with the Glasgow Warriors back in 2010.
Let’s chat about your vision and night lenses, mate. Did you ever lose a day lens on the pitch? What made you switch to night lenses?
I got into day lenses as a teenager, and they did help with my catching – a bit, anyway! But, putting those things in was a real struggle, mate. If one popped out during a game, I’d sprint to the sideline, and my dear mum would stick in a spare lens. I only learned to do it myself just before heading off to Uni – embarrassing, I know! Once I started playing professionally, it was just one more thing to worry about, when all my focus should’ve been on pre-game prep and performance. I was losing lenses left and right during games. The idea of wearing a lens overnight, waking up with perfect vision on game day, and not having to fret about lenses – that was a game-changer for me, mate.
How did those night lenses give your rugby career a boost?
Well, they took one less worry out of game day, and clear vision is a game-changer in any sport. Night lenses definitely helped me sharpen up my game and perform at the highest level.
What about your depth perception and judging distances once you started wearing night lenses, mate?
Mate, my depth perception and ability to judge distances improved massively, giving me a lot more confidence on the pitch. I went from being a fuzzy-eyed rugby player to one who could see things crystal clear.
Why do you recommend night lenses to others?
No matter what you do for a living, night lenses are a solid option. There’s no lens waste like with dailies, and you can’t accidentally lose a lens when you’re out and about since there’s nothing in your eye to lose! You won’t be accidentally flicking a lens out at work, during your commute, or, worst of all, while driving. It’s just one less thing to worry about in the hectic lives most people lead.
You’ve travelled the world for rugby – any standout stadiums for you?
I was fortunate enough to play in Hong Kong during the 7’s World Series, mate. There’s heaps of rugby history there, and it’s an amazing city to visit. The atmosphere was off the charts – it was practically a three-day party in the stands! That’s a memory that’ll stick with me for a long time.
Who was your rugby hero?
Richie McCaw. The Kiwi number 7 when I was growing up. He kept his game on point throughout his career and even captained the All Blacks to back-to-back World Cups – pretty darn special!