Hall won't jump the gun

Andy Hall has refused to get excited at the prospect of figuring in Scotland’s World Cup plans – because he fears it might not happen.

The Wales-based forward lines up for Frank Hadden’s shadow squad against Ireland A today in the Churchill Cup bronze medal showdown at Twickenham.

Hall will be one of only three ever-presents in the tournament – with the coach hinting he has played his way into the World Cup selection shake up.

But the Dragons star insisted: “I am reading absolutely nothing into the situation and I am not looking beyond this match.

“Of course, I would like to imagine I have been impressing Frank with the way I have been performing, but I don’t want to get too excited because I could end up very disappointed.

“After all, there are so many top-class back-five forwards around at the moment. I know I have been down the list, but all it takes is a change in form here or there and you are back in the picture.”

He continued: “It is now five years since my one and only full Scotland cap, so it has been difficult to keep believing I can be involved again.

“You have to remain positive, even on the down days and I concentrate on training as hard as I can.

“If Frank has seen something I can bring to the squad then great.

“I am desperate to get another Test opportunity and I will always do my best to show what I can offer.

“I have not felt isolated in Wales because Frank has plenty of scope to see me on TV and I always send him DVDs of my games as a matter of course.”