Southwell elevated to starting line-up

Hugo Southwell completed a remarkable rise to the top when he was named yesterday as Scotland’s starting full-back to take on World Cup finalists Australia in Melbourne on Sunday.

Southwell’s inclusion in place of the injured Chris Paterson and Dan Parks’ reinstatement at fly-half were the only changes Scotland coach Matt Williams made to the side which started last Friday’s 38-3 victory over Samoa.

Just last August, Southwell went north in search of a contract with Edinburgh, after National League One side Worcester released him.

While they went on to win promotion to the Zurich Premiership, Southwell secured an initial one-year deal with Edinburgh.

Little did he imagine, as the Edinburgh squad watched Scotland play Australia in the World Cup quarter-final last autumn, that the next time the sides met he would be making his first test start.

“My plan was to try to force my way into the Scotland squad, not realising the opportunity would come this quickly,” he said.