Rugby: McKibbin’s name in frame to join Scots

Published on 19/03/2012 12:00

Scottish Rugby’s desire to leave no stone unturned in the search for fresh talent may lead them to the southern hemisphere with a contract offer for Ayrshire-born Waratahs scrum half, Brendan McKibbin.

Australian media sources say that McKibbin has already been approached by Murrayfield authorities and a switch to Europe is an attractive proposition for a player who finds his way into the Wallabies team barred by the likes of Will Genia.

It is also the case that Scotland’s three leading scrum halfs – Mike Blair, Chris Cusiter and Rory Lawson – will all be over 30 by the start of next season and McKibbin, at 26, has a few years to reach his peak.

The Sydney Daily Telegraph claims: “McKibbin has had firm approaches from Murrayfield’s selectors about donning the royal blue in future. He simply needs to be playing in Europe to be considered, given he has access to a UK passport.

“Scotland could use a player of McKibbin’s pace, while his razor-sharp goalkicking would also appeal. Scotland’s recent acquisition of (Queensland) Reds defensive coach Matt Taylor shows they are taking a keen interest in Australian talent, and the No.9 is not on the Wallabies’ radar.” McKibbin began his career in Queensland, where Taylor is based, before winning an award as top up and coming in NSW in 2010.