Scotland winger Tim Visser has defended the selection of the New Zealand-born-and-raised Sean Maitland ahead of Saturday's Six Nations clash with England.
Maitland's inclusion means that the visitors to Twickenham will have a formidable, imported, attack out wide, despite the grumbling of purists.
Dutch-born Visser made his debut for Scotland in June on the basis of his three years of residency in Edinbrugh while Maitland qualifies on the grounds of his Glasgow-born grandparents.
"Rules are rules, so people are eligible or not," Visser told Press Association Sport.
"My view is slightly skewed because of the way I got into the team.
"But if Sean is eligible and good enough to play for us, and he has shown a desire to represent Scotland, I think he should be able to."
Five members of Scotland's starting XV have just 10 caps or less but Visser reckons interim head coach Scott Johnson has got the balance of young and experince right.
"There is certainly some brilliant talent in there," said the 25-year-old.
"Some old stalwarts who have proven themselves over the course like Ewan Murray who wins his 50th cap. And that is augmented by some new players who have just joined the group.
"We are looking at some exciting new players so it's looking good.
"We have another attack-minded player like me in Sean in the team and it's brilliant to have him on the other wing.
"He has proven himself for Glasgow and has fought to get himself into the Scotland squad and I am all for that. It's good to see an exciting talent like him in the team."
Visser is not fazed by Scotland's dismal record at Twickenham, where they have not won for 30 years.
"We are always optimistic as players, because you have to believe in yourself," he said.
"We are going down there to win.
"England are a good team right now. History shows we have not won there much, but on the other hand, history has nothing to do with us.
"We are a team in our own capacity and we are going to go down there to try to win."
Comments
atg77 says...
Virtually every major nation has or has had players born and bred in another country. People will always take their opportunities to play international rugby.
Posted 22:53 02nd February 2013
Jaylith says...
Bring on the 6 Nations! Just a Fact find about Sean Maitland all. His Super Rugby Record reads 54 Caps & 23 Tries and his NPC/ITM Cup record 41 caps & 20 tries.
Then Glasgow record 5 caps & 1 try. He is true quality as he has also played a lot of his rugby at full back. And before falling down the pecking ladder in the 2012 season at the Crusaders, which was very competitive in the outside backs division, he was always a form player and should've been and all black.
In perspective its a win win situation for Scotland. He gets to play International Rugby and Scotland get a quality back (winger/fullback) which they have not had since Thom Evans.
Now there is the Tim Visser, Sean Maitland, Stuart Hogg axis with potential quality back up in Peter Murchie, Tommy Seymour and Dougie Fife (more game time at Edinburgh and you'll see this young gun make it).
Exciting times.
Posted 09:21 01st February 2013
The_Dange says...
"History has nothing to do with us." Apt.
Posted 06:40 01st February 2013
hellovanite says...
Rules are rules yes but they need to be tougher than they are. Until then people who don't like it, will have to lump it
Posted 06:30 01st February 2013
Isograford says...
They're stupid rules, especially when people are basically straight off the plane. Look at the Manu Samoa squad and see that three-quarters of the teams they pick are kiwi born and raised, so Scotland don't have a patch on them.
Posted 18:49 31st January 2013
APV1 says...
Hear! Hear!
The rules are what they are and whether we agree with them or not is moot.
Lodge your dis-satisfaction with the IRB and move on.
Here's to a great 6N, starting with a fantastic Calcutta Cup!
Posted 18:03 31st January 2013