Gregor Hiddleston has been called up to the Scotland Six Nations squad after Dave Cherry faces injury.
Head coach Gregor Townsend initially left the 23-year-old uncapped Glasgow Warriors hooker out of the squad despite his current form at club level.
Hiddleston was a key player in Warriors’ flawless Investec Champions Cup campaign, so Scotland fans were shocked at his initial absence when the squad was announced on January 20th.
On Facebook, a fan commented: “Hiddleston is in most pundits team of the week based on performance in Europe. Not in the squad though?”
Another fan commented: “Cherry over Hiddleston? OK then…”
At the official Men’s 6 Nations launch on Monday, Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu spoke to the media about Townsend’s omission of Hiddleston.
He said: “I don’t pick the team. I know there has been a big uproar about him not being picked. All I can say as a teammate of Gregor’s at Glasgow, and as I said to everyone who wasn’t selected, to just keep doing what you’re doing mate.”
The captain added: “I’m sure he’ll get his opportunity.”
Less than 24 hours after the interview Scottish Rugby announced that Hiddleston would in fact be joining the squad to replace Cherry who has sustained a calf injury.
Gus Warr also joins the squad as Jamie Dobie continues his recovery and Liam McConnell returns to his club having sustained a rib injury.
It is still expected that Edinburgh’s Ewan Ashman will be favoured for the no.2 jersey, but fans will be pleased to see the young Warrior fight for his spot in a match day 23.
