Promising youngster Alun Walker believes his blistering start to the season with Currie can be put down to his experiences for Scotland at the world under-20 championships in Japan this summer.

The 18-year-old hooker inspired Currie to a thrilling 28-15 victory against Heriot’s on Saturday to move the club to joint first in the Scottish Hydro Premiership.

Walker was a late replacement for Watsonian’s Fraser Brown and although he only got bit-part roles against Fiji and Tonga, he insists the experience has been invaluable to his rugby development.

“I definitely feel more streetwise as a result of playing in the world championships but what also helps is the experience on offer from the likes of (Currie captain] Andy Adam and Ryan Wilson (ex North Harbour, New Zealand],” said Walker.

“I got a call while I was watching the second Lions Test from John Jeffrey, the Scotland under-20 manager, asking me if I'd recovered from a back injury sustained in training for the world championships.

“I was only out on tour for ten days but wouldn't have missed the trip for anything as being coached by Craig and another ex-Lion, Peter Wright, as well as Rob Moffat, the new Edinburgh head coach, was an amazing experience. There was so much knowledge available for me to soak up.”