Manson played for Hillfoots, Dundee HSFP, Stirling County, and West of Scotland FC at amateur level.
Alongside front row companion Danny Herrington, Manson made sure one of Scotland's future heroes, Prop Tom Smith had a tough fight to see 1st XV action with the club.
Manson was part of the historic unbeaten NZ tour of 1992, the first ever by a British club side.
When Scottish rugby turned its district sides professional in 1996, Manson first of all played for Caledonia Reds.
Manson went on to tour South Africa with the 1995 World Cup Squad where he was an unused replacement in Scotland's record 89–0 win over the Ivory Coast.