Amateur career Bruce first played for Gala YM and then
Gala. The Berwickshire News and General Advertiser of 1 February 1955 notes: There will be no early return of Norman Bruce as a regular player for Gala. The popular Gala hooker, who is now a sergeant in the R.A.O.C., has signed on with the Army for a 22-year engagement. Bruce has been doing well in Army Rugby and is hooking for an Army XV. against the Civil Service in a side which includes seven internationalists. One of his props will be Hughie McLeod, the Hawick cap. The permanent loss of Bruce is a big blow to the Netherdale club. He played for
Blackheath. He brought the Blackheath side back to Gala shortly after he moved to England and they won the
Gala Sevens that year. While he was back in Galashiels he managed to sneak in a match for Gala YM over Hawick YM in the Border Junior League. He then played for
London Scottish.
Provincial career He played for
South of Scotland District in 1955. He played for
Whites Trial against
Blues Trial in 1957, while still with Blackheath.
International career He was capped by
Scotland 31 times between 1958 and 1964. He played for the Barbarians in 1957. ==Military career==