Scotland make two changes to face Wallabies

Hugo Southwell completed a remarkable rise to prominence today when he was named as Scotland’s starting full-back to take on Australia, the World Cup finalists, 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 journeyed north of the border in search of a contract with Edinburgh.

Southwell succeeded with Edinburgh, grabbing every chance that fell his way to secure an initial one-year deal.

But little did he imagine, as the Edinburgh squad gathered to watch Scotland play Australia in the World Cup quarter-final last autumn, that the next time the two sides met he would be preparing for his first Test start.

“I only signed for Edinburgh nine months ago. I came up quite late on having been released by Worcester,” Southwell said.

“The chance came when the guys went away to the World Cup and when they came back I managed to hold down a place in the side.

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

“We watched the World Cup games together at Edinburgh and I was interested in how the boys got on over here, but I was concentrating on the job ahead with Edinburgh. Playing against the Wallabies this Sunday would have been the last thing on my mind.”

The only tactical change Williams made today was to recall Parks at fly-half with Gordon Ross dropping to a bench that includes Graeme Morrison, whose outstanding display against the NSW Waratahs earned him a first appearance in the Scotland Test 22.

“Dan as been in all of the Test squads except France. He started against Ireland and the Barbarians. He has earned his position,” said Williams.

“Gordon Ross has improved out of sight on this trip. We are absolutely delighted with him and it was a very close decision, but (it was made after) reviewing the last few games and the kicking stats.

“Hugo’s form on the tour, and for Edinburgh on the wing, has earned him that spot. We have now got a left-footer in the back three which is a big plus as well.”

Southwell earned his debut Test cap as a replacement against Samoa last Friday, coming on for the final quarter after Paterson suffered an horrific triple fracture of his cheekbone.

Just as he snatched his chance at Edinburgh last summer, so Southwell plans to do so again with the national team and he will slot into an inexperienced back three against the might of Australia’s trio Joe Roff, Wendell Sailor and Lote Tuqiri.

Southwell, a fearless 24-year-old, refuses to be phased by the prospect and is excited by the idea of linking up with wingers Simon Webster and Sean Lamont, one of Scotland’s biggest finds this tour.

“Roff, Wendell Sailor and Lote Tuqiri, it’s a pretty good back three,” admitted Southwell.

“But I don’t think there is going to be any fear. We are young and inexperienced but I don’t think that will affect us.

“It is different, starting against the Wallabies, but you can’t look at it like that. You have to take it in your stride and get on with it.”

Although there are two new faces in the Wallabies side – centre Clyde Rathbone and Radike Samo who will play blindside flanker – 16 of their 22-man squad were involved in the World Cup final against England last year and Williams is under no illusions about the challenge that lies ahead.

“You have got one of the finalists from the World Cup, one of the top ranked teams in the world and it is a very tough job for any team,” said Williams.

“It’s a massive task for us but it’s not something we are running away from.

“We had a very good performance against Samoa. Obviously the opposition the Wallabies will provide will be substantially increased so we have to make sure that we not only maintain those standards but take it forward.”

Scotland team to play Australia in Melbourne on Sunday is: H Southwell; S Lamont, B Hinshelwood, A Henderson, S Webster; D Parks, C Cusiter; T Smith, G Bulloch, B Douglas, S Grimes, S Murray (captain), J White, D MacFadyen, A Hogg.

Replacements: S Scott, C Smith, I Fullarton, J Petrie, M Blair, G Ross, G Morrison.