Chris Paterson is back on course to add to his record 100 Scottish caps after both recovering from kidney damage and being named in Andy Robinson’s National Squad training camp in St Andrews later this month.
The Edinburgh full back reached his century of caps for Scotland against Wales at the Millennium Stadium in the 2010 RBS 6 Nations, but ended up in hospital after taking a heavy bang to the kidneys.
He spent a few days in hospital before heading home and hasn’t played since that game on 13 February. Not only did he miss the remainder of Edinburgh’s domestic season, but also the triumphant Scottish tour to Argentina in the summer.
But now the 32-year-old, who also holds the Scottish points record with 752, has made a full recovery and has been taking a full part in his club’s intense pre-season work. He returns to a 37-man training squad along with another injury victim from the Millennium Stadium six months ago, Rory Lamont., who sustained knee ligament damage in that game.
British & Irish Lions lock Nathan Hines, who missed the Argentinean tour through personal reasons, is also include for the three day camp from 9-11 August.
“St Andrews is an important camp for us. It's about restating our collective values and our commitment to strive for improvement,” said Scottish coach Robinson..
"I was pleased with how we ended last season, with three successive away Test victories, but now our focus has to be on how we start this season, especially our opening game against the All Blacks."
Scotland Training Squad
Backs: Mike Blair, Ben Cairns (Edinburgh), Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors), Simon Danielli (Ulster), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh), Max Evans (Glasgow Warriors), Phil Godman, Alex Grove (both Edinburgh), Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors), Sean Lamont (Scarlets), Rory Lamont (Toulon), Rory Lawson (Gloucester), Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors), Dan Parks (Cardiff Blues), Chris Paterson (Edinburgh), Hugo Southwell (Stade Francais), Jim Thompson (Edinburgh), Nikki Walker (Ospreys)
Forwards: John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors), Kelly Brown (Saracens), Geoff Cross (Edinburgh), Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors), Jim Hamilton (Gloucester), Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors), Nathan Hines (Leinster), Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Lawson (Gloucester), Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors), Alan MacDonald, Scott MacLeod (both Edinburgh), Euan Murray (Northampton Saints), Kyle Traynor (Edinburgh), Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester) and Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors).
In attendance: Johnnie Beattie (Glasgow Warriors)
