We sat down with Dino Waldren this week to see how the fully capped American Eagle is settling into life at London Scottish.
Waldren arrived at London Scottish just over a month ago having joined the club after a spell with Blackrock College in Dublin. This current time living in England is the American’s first time over in the UK and has said he is enjoying his venture to the big smoke.
The twenty-six year old, six foot, 110kg tighthead prop has brought a lot of energy in his short time already at the club and will be looking to hopefully make his Greene King IPA Championship debut on the weekend against Nottingham.
Waldren said it has been good to immerse himself back into a full time environment after finishing his summer tour with the USA Eagles and has enjoyed getting himself back into the routine of training consistently after a busy summer schedule.
Chatting about life in London, Waldren said “it’s a bit different, I come from a very small city in the US so it’s a little bit of a culture shock in some senses, but after being in Dublin last year, I’m used to the weather over here.”
Waldren accepts that the different culture is all “part of the experience and that’s what its all about for me, rugby has given me all these experiences and for that I'm thankful”.
Since arriving in August, the California-native has been living in a shared house with some other London Scottish players. “I’m living in a diverse, multi-national house” jokes Waldren as he lists his housemates, fellow Internationals Tjiuee Uanivi and Kyle Baillie, Head Analyst John Farrell and Scottish centre Fraser Lyle.
“Fraser is the Dad of the house, he comes home from work, turns the music down and has his coffee, he even cleans up after us! Kyle is my friend from the Northern border who is my gaming buddy and I guess it’s lucky having John in the house as we can always demand to watch some extra film of training or games”
Waldren seemed pretty content with his new housemates and added that they were perfect blend of people who were really helping him settle into his new surroundings and were enhancing his experience in England and at London Scottish.
Having moved from the United States and coming to pastures new in England, many would think that Waldren would be missing a lot about his home nation but his only nagging issue he has is adapting to the hectic London public transport and not having access to a car.
“The quality of food is pretty delicious, so that’s all good, I don’t miss anything from America in that sense but not having accessibility to a vehicle is tough.”
“I’m not used to public transportation but it’s just another life experience. Hopping on a bike, getting on the train, it’s all part of it; I was on the Tube for the first time last week and I was getting nervous, we don't have subways where I'm from!”
Lack of transport aside, Waldren said he obviously missed his family from back home but said that was part of his rugby development playing in the Championship and something he has accepted and adapted to.
Looking forward to the year ahead, the prop forward said, “I want to play at the highest level I can but it’s one step at a time, I need to get bigger, get stronger, get faster and learn from the great coaches here at Scottish.”
Waldren is settling well into city life in London and will be aiming to make an impact throughout the 2017/18 campaign and everyone at London Scottish will be hoping that he can bring his International expertise to our forward pack.
We look forward to seeing what damage the rampaging Californian can cause on the pitch throughout the year and here’s to hoping he gets accustomed to the atrocious British weather and begins to feel more comfortable on the Underground system!
Dino Waldren is still looking for a sponsor!! If you would like to sponsor him please contact scott.cherry@londonscottish.com or call 02033979551
