After an enforced absence of 18 months, the GROGS lunches roared back into action when around 100 members and guests reconvened at Loks to greet familiar faces once again, to celebrate surviving the Covid pandemic and to be royally entertained by Rob Wainwright, former Scotland international captain and member of the victorious British and Irish Lions of the 1997 South Africa tour. Rob had been a prime target of the Committee for a long time but other events, clashing diaries, the Covid pandemic and two lambing seasons had made it very difficult to bring his presence about. By the end of a longer than usual and most entertaining lunch there was no doubt that the wait had been well worthwhile. Firstly, though, GROGS Chairman, Brian Rigby, conducted the AGM for the interrupted 2019/20 year. He reported on another successful year of lunches with record attendances and generous contributions to favourite charities. He also announced changes in the make-up of the Committee, notably the co-option of Hugh Dan MacLennan, his own retirement as Chairman after 5 years and the popular appointment of Fergus Neil as his successor. Finally, everyone was able to focus their attention on Rob Wainwright who proved to be as entertaining a speaker as he had been a player. What surprised most of those present was to learn that Rob is a marvellous mimic. He didn’t just tell stories, he introduced easily recognised characters and accents into them. Seemingly present in the room were a very “sweary”, but inspirational, Jim Telfer, Gavin Hastings, Neil Jenkins and others, along with a plethora of accents - French, South African, Australian and Cockney (you’d swear Michael Caine was there), all used in the telling of stories of high jinks, frolics and low key mischief during his time as a Scotland player and captain and even more as a member of a Lions squad full of stellar names and reputations. However, it wasn’t just a fun presentation from Rob. He had plenty to say about modern day rugby, especially the changes in training and tactics since his day and what he described as “the depressing arms race” with the deliberate bulking up of players. One solution, he thinks, is to do away with excessive substitution. Heavy players might manage 45 minutes play but not 80 minutes. Rob ended by generously answering a number of questions and, as a man known to appreciate good whisky, was presented with a bottle of The Famous GROGS Whisky to express our gratitude for an excellent afternoon.