Stuart McInally

A decisive and energetic player, Stuart McInally is one of Scottish rugby’s stand out performers. Originally a flanker, he made the switch to play primarily as a hooker in 2013 and has never looked back since.

Born in Edinburgh, Scotland in August 1990, Stuart McInally began playing rugby during his school years and before beginning his professional career with Edinburgh Rugby in 2009, he represented Scotland at all age groups and even captained the U18s and U20s.

Stuart McInally made his debut for Edinburgh in 2010 in what was the Celtic League. Barring a brief loan spell with Bristol in 2014 – when he switched playing positions – he has remained with the Scottish side ever since and to date has made over 150 appearances. He is one of the side’s best performers and now a firm fan favourite and is co-captain alongside Grant Gilchrist.

His senior international career coincided with his change of position, and in 2015 he earned his first call up to the Scotland squad for the summer tests of that year. Stuart McInally then got his first cap against Italy in this series and impressed enough to get a place in the squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup – however, he would unfortunately miss the tournament due to injury.

His Six Nations Championship debut came in 2016 and in 2018 he was named captain of the side for the first time in the summer internationals and then again in the 2019 Rugby World Cup. So far, he has played 43 games for Scotland and is one of the most prolific hookers in terms of the number of tries he has scored to date.

Outside of rugby Stuart McInally is a trained amateur pilot who hosts his own YouTube channel about flying.