Can Ansbro become first black player to earn a full Scotland cap?
KEVIN FERRIE, Chief Rugby Writer May 16 2009

WILL HE GRAB HIS CHANCE? Ansbro has been called up with the senior squad in mind. Picture: Getty Images
Joe Ansbro yesterday took a major step towards becoming the first black player to represent Scotland at Test level when he was named in the A squad for next month's IRB Nations Cup in Romania.

Neighbours England have had a long history of developing black players for Test rugby - the first, Jimmy Peters appeared against Scotland in an international match in 1906 - with Jeremy Guscott, the Underwood brothers Rory and Tony and Jason Robinson all enjoying great success.

Scotland have been much less prolific in doing so, however. The only other current contender is Stevie Swindall who has previously played for the A team, but the flanker's prospects of winning a full cap have receded to the extent that he has been released by Glasgow Warriors.

Indeed, Ansbro is very much a product of English rugby. Until yesterday, the Northampton Saints centre had not been seen as a contender for Scotland honours having represented England at Under-18 level, despite selectors being aware that he was born in Glasgow.

His chances of winning senior honours look much better than Swindall's. While this is a Scotland A tour, a strong party has been selected with 14 of the 26 players named having won full caps.

The 23-year-old Ansbro made all the right noises about his call-up. "I've spoken to both Northampton clubmates Tom Smith and Euan Murray about playing for Scotland and I'm really excited," he said. "I've always been a Scotland rugby fan and I've always followed them. It is something that I've wanted to do for a while, but I've had a few injuries."

The SRU repeatedly delayed the announcement of the squad this week as they sought to get the relevant paperwork in order.

The squad's other newcomer is another dual-qualified centre, but Alex Grove, who was born in Solihull and was a product of Rugby School, has previously made his allegiance more obvious, representing Scotland at Under-18, Under-19 and Under-20 level.

Ansbro is seen as a specialist outside centre, but Grove has worn both the No.12 and No.13 jerseys for Worcester Warriors this season, scoring half-a-dozen tries in his 19 appearances for them this season. With Max Evans injured and Graeme Morrison, his regular Scotland and Glasgow Warriors midfield partner, being rested, the other centres in the 26-man squad are Rob Dewey, soon to join them in Glasgow, along with his fellow full caps Ben Cairns and Nick De Luca, the Edinburgh centre partnership.

"We've selected five centres, but I consider them all to be versatile members of the back division and have the ability to fulfil a different role if required," said Andy Robinson, who looks set to lead the tour regardless of the success of his application for the Scotland coach's job.

There are only two out-and-out locks among the forwards in Al Kellock and Craig Hamilton, suggesting that Glasgow Warriors pair James Eddie and Richie Vernon are likely to be utilised in the boiler-house.

The squad, whose average age is just 24, also includes Chris Cusiter as captain, with Ross Ford his vice captain and Rory Lawson also returning to the ranks.

This article was originally posted on 16-May-2009, 07:21 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 16-May-2009, 07:22.