Family fortunes: Beattie out to follow in father’s footsteps

JOHNNIE BEATTIE has long been in the shadow of his father but he has revealed he is now also playing catch-up to his baby sister.

Beattie, who turns 24 next Saturday, will make his first Scotland appearance for more than two years in this weekend’s opening autumn international against Fiji.

The Glasgow number eight has been on the Test scene since 2006 but the inconsistency which has dogged his game has limited him to just four caps to date.

That is well behind the 25 won by his father John, who also boasts two British and Irish Lions tours on his CV.

And the last 18 months has also seen him overtaken by sister Jennifer, who has been awarded 21 over that period for the Scotland women’s football team.

Jennifer, 18, also joined Arsenal Ladies this summer, one of the best club sides in the women’s game.

Beattie said: “I think she’s already got near enough 20 caps and she’s 18. I’ve got four caps, so she’s firmly ahead just now.”

Beattie has a football background himself, having played for Rangers’ youth teams, and has shown glimpses of that ability during his rugby career.

“It’s been strange being part of the squad and sort of in and out,” he said.

“But the realisation now that you’re in a match 22 for the first time in a while and you’ve got a chance, it’s a massive opportunity.”

Beattie has had almost two weeks to get used to the fact he will be starting after head coach Andy Robinson informed the squad of his XV last Monday.

“There’s pressure to get things nailed down and understand the team calls and plays and who you’re working with, which has been good fun,” said Beattie.

“We’re all assigned to different things,” he said of Robinson’s radical leadership model, which includes Chris Cusiter and Mike Blair being appointed co-captains.

“John Barclay, Graeme Morrison are in charge of defence; I get a hand in attack. It’s really hands on and all the players take more ownership for what’s happening on the pitch.”

Robinson has picked a physical side in order to combat the threat of Fiji and Beattie cannot wait to get stuck in.

“We’ve got to match them and look to dominate,” he said. “I think with the Fijian boys, you know it’s going to open up a little bit as well, so we have to be looking to win those physical encounters.”

SCOTLAND: R Lamont (Toulon); S Lamont (Scarlets), A Grove (Worcester), G Morrison (Glasgow), S Danielli (Ulster); P Godman (Edinburgh), C Cusiter (Glasgow, capt); A Jacobsen (Edinburgh), R Ford (Edinburgh), M Low (Glasgow), N Hines (Leinster), A Kellock (Glasgow), A Strokosch (Gloucester), J Beattie (Glasgow), J Barclay (Glasgow).

Replacements: D Hall (Glasgow), K Traynor (Edinburgh), J White (Clermont Auvergne), R Vernon (Glasgow), M Blair (Edinburgh), C Paterson (Edinburgh), N De Luca (Edinburgh).

FIJI: J Matavesi (Exeter); V Goneva (Vatura), G Lovobalavu (Toulon), S Bai (Clermont Auvergne, capt), N Nalaga (Clermont Auvergne); N Little (Bath), M Rauluni (Saracens); A Yalayalatabua (Navy), V Veikoso (Mavoci), D Manu (Scarlets), W Lewaravu (London Welsh), I Rawaqa (World Fighting Bulls), J Domolailai (Lomavata), A Qera (Gloucester), A Boko (Tau).

Replacements: G Dewes (Esher), S Ledua (FTG), L Nakarawa (Army Green), S Bola (Police), W Vatuvoka (Duavata), J Ratu (Cagimaira), N Roko (Yokogawa)).