Club physio Claire Hagan has accepted a new job opportunity back across the Irish Sea, in Belfast, and this weekend will be her last carrying the bag (and listening to the whingeing) at Leith Rugby.

Claire has been club physiotherapist for three and a bit years at Academy Park, and a constant in our journey as a club over the time period. Without Claire on the sideline each week we would have been a poorer outfit for it, and not just because the alternative may have been a "heavy-handed" Jim Smith taping the players up before games. Even at this comparatively lower level of rugby, a good physio is crucial to the success of a club, and Claire's ability to keep players fit, and help injured guys get back to action quickly has been extraordinary, and befitting a club several rungs up the food chain. Claire is no mug either, and grown wise to the repeat visitors to the rehab room, those who sometimes just need a wee bit of reassurance, or are looking to skip part of training by visiting!

When not patching up hypochondriac Leith players, Dubliner Claire is a keen Gaelic football player, turning out for Edinburgh side Dunedin Connollys. Claire can also often be found in some of the city's Irish-themed establishments enjoying a refreshment or two, but has largely, and wisely avoided Leith nights out where the chat can be horrendous! There have been a few bleary-eyed (blood shot) Saturday mornings taping up the players over the years though!

Everyone at Leith would like to thank Claire for all her hard work and dedication during her time at the club, and to wish her all the very best in this new chapter of her life. We are a richer club for having had her be part of it, and look forward to welcoming her back to Leith in the future.