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Scotland picks legal alien
12/11/2002 10:16 - (SA)
Edinburgh - Prop David Hilton has been called into the Scotland squad for Saturday's Test against South Africa at Murrayfield, winning his 42nd cap nearly three years after earning his 41st.
English-born Hilton (32) played 41 times for Scotland before it was discovered that he did not in fact qualify for the country under International Rugby Board (IRB) rules on eligibility.
When it was revealed, after the Bristol-born forward had played against Wales in the 2000 Six Nations, that his grandfather, Walter, was not, as he believed, born in Edinburgh, Hilton became embroiled in what was tagged the "grannygate" scandal.
The IRB accepted that Hilton was honestly mistaken in his belief that one of his grandparents was Scottish and he now qualifies to replace the injured Mattie Stewart under residency rules.
The prop, who since August has been qualified for Scotland after living in the country for three years, hinted this week that there were times when even he felt his international career may have wiped out.
In an interview with national newspaper The Scotsman he admitted: "It was hard when it sunk in exactly what had happened. It looked a long time to be honest. But, I think it actually took more than a year to sink in, and I still had a job to do, I was still playing for Glasgow.
"It did affect me, and my form, for a while - I had a confidence crisis. I feel very confident now about playing the Springboks because I've been working hard on my fitness in the past few weeks, and particularly playing tighthead.
"It has been quite a fast progression the past few weeks, getting into the World Cup training squad, then A squad and now into the international squad as well. I've now got to concentrate on the job ahead. There's a big game on Saturday and I have to do my bit," the prop said.
Scotland coach Ian McGeechan said: "Hilton knows we all backed him through what has been a very difficult time for him and it's great to see his continued commitment. It's good to see him back."
Hilton can play on both sides of the front row and is likely to be on the bench for the test against South Africa.
The other change in the Scotland squad is the inclusion of the Glasgow lock Jason White, who missed Saturday's 37-10 defeat of Romania because of a neck injury.
Jon Petrie makes way for White with Australian-born lock Nathan Hines retaining his place.
McGeechan, who coached a World XV who beat the All Blacks in 1992, admitted that he was not reading too much into the Springboks' 32-10 defeat to France on Saturday.
He said: "There were good points and poor points in South Africa's game with France, but like all of us, they were playing their first game back after having a break and had some cobwebs to blow away.
"We have the greatest respect for South Africa and South African rugby, and there is no doubt from our point of view that this is our massive Test. I think sometimes France have been underestimated in some quarters.
"For the past 12 months France have been a very good side and getting better. They have some very good players and they believe in what they're doing and are prepared to put it out on the field against anybody.
"Physically this will be a very different game from the Romania match, so you have to be stronger and fight a bit more, clear out quicker and move quicker. You can get away with being ten per cent off the pace against teams like Romania, but you can't even be half a per cent off against one like South Africa.
"We'll find out on Saturday whether we have actually learned from the lessons or not."
The Scotland squad: Backs: Graeme Beveridge, Andy Craig, Ben Hinshelwood, Brendan Laney, Stuart Moffat, Chris Paterson, Bryan Redpath,
Gordon Ross, Gregor Townsend, Nikki Walker; Forwards: Gordon Bulloch, Bruce Douglas, Stuart Grimes, David Hilton, Nathan Hines, Martin Leslie, Scott Murray, Budge Pountney, Steve Scott, Tom Smith, Simon Taylor, Jason White; Referee: Nigel Williams (Wales); Touch-judges: Stuart Dickinson (Australia), Alan Lewis (Ireland).
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South Africa
