EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS -BILL LOTHIAN WRITES

WHEN Fergus Thomson packed down at hooker in the Scotland under-19 rugby team's 61-7 victory over Italy at Caserta in 2002 he couldn't have realised that, over his shoulder in the back row, would be the player to keep him waiting through seven stand-by shifts for a coveted first start in the full national side.

In those days Ross Ford was a flanker and used to playing alongside current Test breakaways David Callam and Ally Hogg.

Somewhere along the way, and to his great credit, Ford converted to the front row while maintaining cap prospects and at some point Thomson must have wondered how he'd been leapfrogged.

But, as Scotland prepare to head for Rome on Saturday to bring down the curtain on their latest RBS Six Nations campaign, the old order has been restored at least temporarily with Thomson getting the nod for the No.2 jersey while Ford nurses ankle ligament damage.

It is the nature of sport that some owe their big break to rivals' misfortunes and just how much capital Thomson is able to make out of the situation remains to be seen. What is clear is that now that he has arrived as a first choice 24-year-old Thomson has a chance not only to cement himself into the side but complete a notable quartet of victories over Italian opposition.

"I've played against Italy from under-19 through under-21 to A team standard and had a win at every level. Hopefully I can extend that on Saturday," says the Dundee-born ace who plays for Glasgow.

After seven caps and three of them against countries who have won the World Cup at some stage – South Africa, New Zealand and England – you would, of course expect him to be well versed on what to expect. But as Thomson admits, experience has come in odd shapes and sizes.

"It was good to get nearly an hour against England on Saturday albeit at the expense of the unfortunate Ross Ford because despite my seven caps I still hadn't been able to get a feel for international level.

"With coming off the bench for every one of those caps I hadn't actually played a complete half out of those seven appearances," he said.

Closer examination of the records show that starting with a blood substitution role against Ireland in a World Cup warm-up match last August he returned to the field for the final 12 minutes. This was followed by spells of 12, 20, seven, 38 and eight minutes. But if Fergus is in the dark about an extended run his ability to cope – and cope well – is emphasised by Euan Murray, a prop forward who, before transferring to Northampton last summer, played alongside at Glasgow.

"Fergus is a very good player and fans' should watch out for his ball carrying, tackle-breaking and ability to put opponents on the floor," said Murray, pictured.

"As to why he hasn't had a start before now put that down to the amount of competition around but now that he is here I've every confidence he will step up to the mark."

In stepping up Thomson will appear in a front row who have produced one of only three scrum heels against the head so far in this Championship's 12 matches. According to Murray this partly reflects the team-within-a-team element also involving Allan Jacobsen although all will need to be braced for an Italian backlash as they seek to avoid a whitewash.

Opponents include Martin Castrogiovanni of Leicester who was named English Premiership player of 2006-07.

Murray, the last Scot to score a Six Nations try in continental Europe with his touchdown away to France last year, adds: "What Italy certainly have is experience. They'll be coming at us with all guns blazing."

While Fergus Thomson might be new to a run-on role, though, he is determined that the only way is up. "I now have something to build on and intend to use my increased experience to help me improve," he said. "I might be a bit more nervous with starting but I'll use that positively."

This article was originally posted on 12-Mar-2008, 15:39 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 12-Mar-2008, 15:41.