'I had to work nightshift in an Amazon warehouse' - Kyle Rowe, from redundancy to Scotland squad
A year ago, Kyle Rowe was grafting away in an Amazon warehouse, hoping his rugby dream had not been crushed, but fearing the game had tossed him on the scrapheap at the age of 22.
For eight hours a night, five nights a week, he hefted boxes on to conveyor belts and readied packages for delivery. His mental health fell off a cliff. Those close to him noticed how he spent his days exhausted or wallowing.
At his lowest, shunting parcels around in the depths of West Lothian winter, Rowe could never have imagined himself as a prolific starter for London Irish, one of England’s most entertaining sides, let alone a member of his country’s Six Nations squad.
The gutsy winger was a victim of Covid-19. As the pandemic gripped rugby by the throat, Rowe was furloughed along with the rest of the Scotland Sevens squad, then brought in to train with Edinburgh, before being jettisoned altogether in late 2020. With no World Series or semi-professional Super6 to sustain him, and precious little cash floating around the club game, the picture was bleak.
“We got a phone call saying some boys are going to get let go, we weren’t going to be put back on furlough. I was one of those players,” he tells RugbyPass.
“Losing my job at that point was really hard. Furlough pay was okay, but I couldn’t really live off it. I had to go work in the Amazon warehouse at Bathgate doing nightshifts for two months. It was a real drain on my mental health. At that point, I was ready to give up.
“My fiancée, Rhona, noticed I was either sleeping all the time or really depressed. What got me through was looking at Team GB and having the potential to go and play for them at the Tokyo Olympics. But when that didn’t happen, it was another setback.
“When I then got offered a training contract at Edinburgh to cover injuries, I couldn’t really say no. I didn’t want to go back to working in the warehouse. I thought of it as a stepping stone to where I needed to be, a part of my life I’m going to have to deal with. But as much as I was happy being at Edinburgh training and doing what I wanted to do, it wasn’t ideal either.”
One game was all he got, a dead rubber against Scarlets on the final day of a rotten and rancorous Edinburgh season. Thankfully, London Irish saw something in Rowe that many in Scottish Rugby clearly didn’t. They offered him a deal and took him south in the summer.
Rowe went to Brentford an underdog, but has made himself one their top dogs. He has scored some blistering tries – six in nine starts, in total – including a wonderous hat-trick against Saracens and one last week that helped sink his old side, Edinburgh, in the Challenge Cup.
He has great speed and dynamism on both sides of the ball, and a mongrel streak instilled in him at least in part by the savage effects of covid.
“The coaches have always said they see a lot of potential in me, a good bit of talent, and someone who has not really been given a chance,” he says.
? Kyle Rowe getting ready.#NORvLIR pic.twitter.com/2xWy0CPBrm
— London Irish (@londonirish) November 13, 2021
“It’s nice to be somewhere that kind of wants me, and I’m not just there holding a tackle bag, I’m not just there to train. They want to see me develop and play. They know from my performances this season that I can play and I can score good tries and defend well. When I was up in Scotland, I didn’t really get that chance. I’m loving being at Irish.”
Indeed, all Rowe needed was an opportunity. And in that sense, he is a cautionary tale to Scottish rugby. He lit up the domestic game scoring a barrowload of tries and winning trophies with Ayr, while shining brightly for the national Under-20s.
“He could go the whole way,” Peter Murchie, his coach at Millbrae, told The Offside Line after Rowe scored a double in the 2019 Scottish Premiership final. “I’ve not been shy with telling anyone in a high position that he should be playing pro rugby. He’s a serious talent. He’s got everything.”
Yet despite Murchie’s gushing praise, and Rowe’s obvious potential, nobody found a place for him at either professional club. With only two pro-teams – just 46 slots across each weekend, renewed investment, pressure to win and fewer heavyweight internationals leaving – game time can be fiendishly hard to earn.
Gregor Townsend hinted as much when discussing Rowe’s selection this week.
“I remember watching that Edinburgh game against Scarlets and looking at players like Kyle and Cam Hutchinson and thinking, there are very good players coming through our systems, they just need opportunities.”
That will be a gnawing concern for the Scotland coach, though it is patently better to have too many players of quality than too few. Rugby folk here have been arguing about a third, or even a fourth, pro-team since Stegosaurs were roaming around Edinburgh, but the financial wounds inflicted by covid will take time to heal. Meanwhile, more outlets for emerging players to gain meaningful exposure are needed.
“It’s hard to break into a Glasgow or Edinburgh team because there are limited spots,” says Rowe. “But there are so many good players coming through, especially at my age or younger. They play really well at Super6 but nothing really comes about from that.
“That’s where the sevens comes in, it allows boys to go in, even if it’s only to train, and showcase what they can do. If they get picked for the sevens, they can show that on a world stage, like the boys are doing right now in Malaga.
“It’s not for me to say there should be a third pro-team or anything like that, but having only two plus the sevens is quite limiting for young players. Having another would be great for young players coming through and attracting more up to Scotland. But if we can’t do it financially, we’ll have to live with it. It’s something I’d definitely like to see.”
Even so, you get the sense that for all Rowe has had to conquer, all the anxiety he has experienced, he wouldn’t change his story. The hardship infused in him a lust to succeed. Unemployment taught him how fragile and callous elite sport can be.
Work ethic is a key trait in any Townsend player, and Rowe has it in spades. He is one of five wingers in the squad and if you ask what sets him apart, he talks about mindset and life experience rather than skill, pace or finishing acumen.
“I’ve had to work pretty hard to get where I am with not really being given a shot elsewhere. I feel like I know what it takes to work hard for something.
“I’m not taking away from the fact boys have worked hard to be where they are, but I’ve had quite a few setbacks in my career and I’ve not given up. That is just one point of difference.
“For Gregor, it was more that I’d been able to play into this team at London Irish. They’ve got some great wingers and I’ve been able to play into it. He’s been really pleased with how I’ve been playing, how I’ve developed since the first couple of weeks I was with them.
“He likes how I get into the game – I don’t sit on my wing, I try and look for work in defence and attack.”
You might have guessed by now that Rowe is not satisfied simply to win a place in camp. He’s “buzzing” to be there, of course, and has been ever since Townsend rang him a week ago to break the good news. He yearns to compel the coach to cap him – it has been his dream for almost as long as he can remember. But he will not be broken if it doesn’t happen just yet, if the lavish back-three riches and established internationals in his path prove too hard to usurp.
Incredible try ?
Kyle Rowe putting on a show for @londonirish with his quick feet ?
How will this encounter unfold at Coventry Building Society Arena? #WASvLIR Preview ?? https://t.co/JfzHf9CLGi pic.twitter.com/uxtauYYgJk
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) December 26, 2021
“This time last year, I didn’t think I’d ever be in this position,” he says. “From losing my job and working at the Amazon warehouse to being named in the Scotland Six Nations squad – it’s a big, big jump from where I thought I’d be. I just can’t believe it, really.
“I know how far I’ve come. I know I’ve worked hard on my game, worked hard away from rugby to get here.
“I know how low it can get with working a 9-5 or a shift job, when you’re not doing the thing you want to do. If there’s a bad day at training, you’re going to be annoyed with yourself, but looking at the bigger picture, where I’ve come from, I just need to enjoy every moment, no matter how long it lasts.”
Twelve months have passed since Rowe’s last warehouse nightshift. A year of traumatic uncertainty and long-awaited opportunity. Now, an exhilarating chance to reap the fruits of his toil.
Comments on RugbyPass
Says much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
3 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
23 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
10 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
78 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
23 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
10 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
2 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
16 Go to commentsForgive my ignorance, I might not fully understand so would appreciate clarification: Didn’t the Bulls have to fly with three different carriers, paid for by the South African Rugby Union, whilst Edinburgh got a chartered flight sponsored by EPCR? Also, as far as I understand it South African teams don’t yet share in the revenue from the competition and are not allowed to host Semi-finals or Finals at home. Surely if everyone wants South Africans to “take the competition seriously” then they must make South Africans feel welcome, allow them to share in the revenue, and give them the same levels of access as the teams from the other countries. Just a reminder that South Africa has a large and passionate Rugby audience. Just by virtue of our teams being a part of these competitions means that more of us are likely to watch the knockout games, even if our teams haven’t qualified. It would be silly to alienate such a large audience by making them feel unwelcome.
23 Go to commentsFirst of all. This guy is very much behind the curve. All the bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning took place days ago already. Not adding anything to the topic other than more bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning. 🍼 Second of all, not one mention of the fact that South African teams can’t get home semi finals or finals. The tournament was undermined and devalued by the administrators. 🤡 Thirdly, football teams often have to juggle selections in mid week games, premier games, champions league games etc. and will from time to time prioritize certain titles over others. 🐒 And lastly FEK Neil, and anyone else for that matter, for insisting on telling teams how to manage themselves. If they make what is largely a business decision that suits them and doesn’t suit you - tough shite. 💩 It’s not rocket science as to why the Bulls did what they did. If this guy is too slow to figure it out (and is deliberately not mentioning one of the key reasons why) then he isn’t a journalist. He should join the rest of us pundit plebs in comments section. 🥴
23 Go to commentsSo the first door to knock on Rob is Parliament followed by HMRC. The Irish Revenue deliver a 40% tax relief rebate on the HIGHEST EARNING TEN YEARS of every pro Irish rugby players contract earnings at retirement. That goes a long way to both retaining their best talent and freeing up wages for marquee players. Who knows, if that had been in place in the UK, you might not have been able to poach Hoggy and Jonny Gray from Glasgow…!!!
3 Go to comments