Despite being only 24, Phil Cringle has established himself as one of the most experienced prop forwards in the RFU Championship.

The Ballakaighen Bull has now clocked up more than 50 appearances for current club London Scottish, most coming in English professional rugby’s second tier.

The proud Manxman received his 50th cap for the Richmond-based side at the start of last month. On a flying visit home for Christmas, the former Scotland under-20 international revealed reaching his half century in December’s match with Ealing Trailfinders has been one of the highlights of his career so far: ’My 50th game was really good. I had loads of family and friends over watching the game making it a great day all round.’

Reflecting on the current campaign as a whole, Cringle added: ’This season has been a bit frustrating because I was on a roll and then I hurt my back. I then got back into the team but then suffered a concussion which ruled me out again.

’To be fair though I’ve been pretty fortunate with injuries over the last couple of seasons.’

Scottish currently sit eighth in the 12-team league with three wins as they aim to avoid bottom spot and relegation to National League One.

The former Castle Rushen student added: ’The standard in the Championship is getting better and better every year.

’You’ve got some teams that are splashing a bit of cash and bringing in top players.

’You look at the likes of leaders London Irish who have eight full internationals.

’It makes it harder to stay in the division. It’s a really competitive league.

’Outside of the top two, pretty much everyone is capabale of taking points off each other.

’It’s a tough division with some big men.

’The brand of rugby played in it is quite old school. There’s a lot of set-piece play and big collisions. It’s definitely physical.’

Cringle signed for London Scottish in 2016 from French outfit US Carcassonne, but admits he’s not sure where his future will lie after his contract expires at the end of the current campaign.

In typically laid-back fashion, Cringle added: ’We’ll soon be at the time of year when you start looking at new contracts so we’ll wait and see what happens whether I stay there or move to another club. I’m pretty open to whatever opportunity arises.’

The tighthead prop was the first of several Manxies to head on a rugby scholarship to Kirkham Grammar School in Lancashire and Cringle hopes more will follow suit and eventually forge a career in the paid ranks.

’The opportunity that kids over here have to play rugby now is amazing.

’Things like the Sale Development Pathway Programme which now has a centre over here for under-13s and u15s is great. It’s fantastic that there is that direct link into a professional club and a pathway to follow.

’Kids know if they get into the DPP and get involved with Isle of Man Sport then they could possibly go to Kirkham or another off-island school on a scholarship.

’There’s a clear path there if you want to do it which is absolutely brilliant. Credit to rugby development officer Chris Brannigan and all those who have made that possible.

’With Douglas, Ramsey doing well in the leagues and Vagabonds recovering after a difficult season, Manx rugby is on a high at the moment. Long may it continue.’