Ex-Worcester prop Murray McCallum secures a 10-day trial in France

Former Worcester prop Murray McCallum has landed himself a ten-day Pro D2 trial at Montabaun. The Scottish front-rower has been left on the shelf since the early season Gallagher Premiership demise of the Warriors, but he is now looking to grasp a lifeline in the French second tier.

Currently 14th in the 16-team league, Montauban are fighting a relegation battle having won just six of their 15 Pro D2 matches so far and they have now turned to free agent McCallum with a view to signing the three-cap prop if he suitably impresses during his trial period.

A statement read: “USM Sapiac have announced a ten-day trial for Scottish international prop Murray McCallum, the 26-year-old former Worcester player. The player will train with the professional group during this period and will be observed by the sports staff with a view to a possible follow-up for the rest of the season.”

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Montauban have suffered long-term injuries to Lucas Seyrolle and Nicolas Solveyra and Pierre-Philippe Lafond is now seeking to plug this game with the arrival of McCallum whose only rugby since Worcester were liquidated was a November hook-up with the Barbarians for the Premiership club part of their English tour.

McCallum, who made his breakthrough at Edinburgh and played for Scotland during the 2017/18 season, joined Worcester during the 2021/22 campaign from Glasgow and he started all three of the ill-fated Premiership club’s games this season before they were suspended by the RFU.

12-and-a-half weeks after the collapsed Worcester last played in the Premiership, @heagneyl ??? investigated what had since happened to the 23 players who defeated Newcastle on September 24 at Sixways. #GallagherPrem #ICYMIhttps://t.co/L9sSj7vCHX

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 29, 2022

The Scot spoke to RugbyPass in October amid the fallout of the Worcester collapse, explaining: “Since we’re now away from the club, it’s much tougher to stay positive. With everyone in limbo, it’s a sombre time. I pride myself on bringing positivity, no matter how fake that positivity might be. It’s going to bring me up and it’s going to bring others up. I’ll do it. I’ll bring the energy. It has been tough.

“I have already gone a month with no pay. I don’t know how much longer it will be. Training, running on your own is grim. God, I’m one of the fat boys. I hate running but I know I need to do it because if I don’t, it will be very tough going back in.”