Hardie: ‘Scotland is in my blood’

Editor

Scotland flanker John Hardie has underlined his passion for his country ahead of potentially making his debut this weekend.

The former Highlanders flanker has been named in Scotland's squad to face Italy on Saturday.

Hardie, who played for Southland from 2007 to 2014 and in Super Rugby between 2010 to 2015, qualifies to play for Scotland through his grandmother and is battling to win a spot in Vern Cotter's final 31-man squad for the Rugby World Cup.

Talking to STV on Tuesday, Hardie made no secret of his passion to play for Scotland despite the negative reaction his call-up may have received having not played any rugby in Scotland beforehand.

"I haven’t got a club, I came over here off my own bat. That’s how much it means to me," Hardie said.

"I haven’t got a club situation at the moment so I’ll be looking anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere.

"Scotland is in my blood – my Nana was born here.

"I know that there probably is some [negative] media around it but I’m all about being here to represent that jersey with pride and passion."