BLAIR KINGHORN: I believe I’ve joined the biggest club in the world… if that doesn’t inspire you, nothing ever will

THE history and prestige of Toulouse are not lost on Blair Kinghorn. In fact, it’s almost inescapable. The fact that he now plays for the most successful club in Europe is something he is reminded of every day.

“In the gym there is a timeline on the wall of when the club has won certain trophies,” he tells Mail Sport. “That success and history is all around you. As a player you feel it.’

By his own admission, Kinghorn’s French is still a work in progress. He takes one class a week, sometimes two if time permits.

But in the language of success, Kinghorn is already well on his way to becoming fluent at his new club. Toulouse remain firmly in contention to win a double in the French Top14 and the Champions Cup this season.

Kinghorn’s contribution was great. A try scorer in yesterday’s 32-12 win over Racing 92 on domestic duty, Kinghorn also scored a pair of tries in the European quarter-final against Exeter a few weeks ago. The French side will host Harlequins in the semi-finals next weekend and will be heavy favorites to book their place in the final.

Having won the Champions Cup five times, they are truly the aristocrats of European rugby. The crème de la crème and the benchmark against which all others are judged.

After joining from Edinburgh in November last year, Kinghorn believes the move to Toulouse has taken his game to a new level. The fact that he was able to end the season with two trophies underlines the greatness of a club where second place is simply not acceptable.

“We are still fighting on two fronts,” the 27-year-old said. ‘There is a chance I can end my first season here by winning two trophies. That would be incredible and it’s certainly a big incentive.

‘Playing big knockout games, that’s what it’s all about. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here so far and I can’t say enough about Toulouse.

‘I’ve only started halfway through the season, so the last few months still feel like a whirlwind. But I feel like I’m in the right place now.

‘At a club like this the goal is to win two trophies every year. That’s just the expectation here, to win the Top14 and also the Champions Cup.

‘Being at a club that is so steeped in history brings pressure. But you have to embrace that and support yourself to perform. It’s inspiring.

“When you’re in an environment like this, your game elevates a lot. I believe I have joined the greatest club in the world. If that doesn’t inspire you, nothing ever will.

“Being exposed to this environment and these big games, I think it will only make me a better player. It’s a great challenge for me.’

The story around Kinghorn has changed. There was a time not so long ago when every Scotland game would become a micro-analysis of his performances at fly-half.

He wouldn’t be human if he didn’t find it so tiring. Especially since he was essentially played out of position.

From the moment he burst onto the scene, Kinghorn’s greatest asset has been his speed and constant threat from full-back. The fact that he can cover 10 is just a bonus.

The retirement of Stuart Hogg last year opened the door for Kinghorn to return to his natural position. Even before Hogg’s retirement, Kinghorn’s form was hard to ignore. Asked if he felt he needed a fresh start away from Scotland after all the research, he said: ‘Having a fresh start is always good. You’ll need it eventually. I had been in Edinburgh for eight or nine years. It was the right time for me to move on, challenge myself and make a new start. I knew I was moving to a club where I wouldn’t necessarily be the first choice.

“If you stay in a place for a certain number of years, you might get a little comfortable. I wanted to get myself out of that zone and challenge myself.

‘Before this I had never actually left Edinburgh in rugby terms. I was born and raised in Edinburgh and played all my rugby there.

‘So it was a big step for me to move away from home. But I felt like this was something I had to do to advance to the next level, both as a player and as a person.”

In the Six Nations Netflix documentary released a few months ago, Kinghorn became one of the biggest hits from Scotland’s perspective.

He showed a dry, witty sense of humor and came across well, even if Finn Russell’s ‘Messi’ line inevitably stole the show.

But it raises a point. In Scotland Kinghorn plays with the magician Russell. At club level he plays with Antoine Dupont, who has been widely regarded as the best rugby player in the world in recent years.

In terms of a nine-10 axis, Dupont and Russell may be the best in the business. How does Kinghorn feel about playing with Dupont’s genius in particular?

“He’s a great guy,” said the Scot. ‘He welcomed me very warmly when I arrived at the club.

‘He is a world-class player. But he is also very composed and down to earth. A lot of people would say he’s probably been the best player in the world in recent years. But there is no ego with him. Even when he does something great on the field, he always remains very calm.

“Opposition teams are trying to silence him. But for me and the rest of the guys at the back, that sometimes helps to free up some space.

“As a back it’s a cool position to be in. I play with Antoine Dupont for my club and Finn Russell for my country. They are world class at what they do and it certainly raises your game.

‘You want to be on their level and on their wavelength. I joined halfway through the season, so I feel like I had a huge motivation to prove to them that signing me was worth it.

‘You have to work on it every day during training. If you don’t train well, you won’t play at the weekend.’

Toulouse clearly shows no signs of slowing down. It’s full steam now for Kinghorn and Co as they head into next weekend’s Champions Cup semi-final against Harlequins.