Rugby: The A team is goal if Houston's Edinburgh plan comes together

Published on Thursday 26 March 2009 08:58

JOHN HOUSTON has set the target of an unbeaten finish to the season for Edinburgh Rugby over the remaining six Celtic League matches, starting against Connacht at Murrayfield tomorrow.

And, as a by-product, utility back Houston is hoping that involvement will see him make the next step in his career ladder by clinching an appearance for Scotland A.

"There are six games left and I don't see why we shouldn't be aiming to win them all," says Houston, who added: "If that is the obvious team goal then, on a personal level, I'd love to actually get on the pitch for Scotland A when they go to a tournament in Romania during the summer having been on the bench against Italy last year without actually getting on the pitch."

It's rare for Scottish representative sides not to use their entire bench as impact players at some stage or other and that incident was one of a number that must have tried Houston's patience until signs arose six weeks ago that his fortunes might be turning.

On the face of it, a broken hand sustained playing for the Edinburgh back-up team against Crawshay's Welsh Select at Lasswade might not sound like something to write home about.

However, knowing he would be sidelined waiting for the fracture to heal, officials seized the opportunity to organise surgery on a hernia which had been requiring Houston to play through the pain barrier.

Recalling his 'two-for-the-price of-one' injury experience, Houston, who starts on the bench as Edinburgh go for their first double of season against the men from the west of Ireland, says: "The hernia was more of a discomfort but it had to be treated.

"So much so that I'd already visited the surgeon in Manchester who was to carry out an operation and the hand problem meant it was advanced so that hopefully I could be available throughout what is an important run-in as we try to climb the table.

"The reason I'm in the squad for Connacht is down to a change in medical practice where a broken hand no longer needs to be encased in plaster.

"The current view is that, once the bone resets, there is no need to apply a cast, which would lead to muscle wastage.

"Even after a piece of gauze was used to repair my hernia, I was quickly back into the swimming pool and other forms of light exercise, gradually building up.

"The fact, too, that my injuries coincided with the Six Nations meant I only missed a couple of games and, at any other time of the season, it could have been much worse."

In fact, 26-year-old Houston's campaign was developing to the extent he had started in the home win over Glasgow and also the victory over Ulster two games later as well as coming off the bench when Castres were repelled at Murrayfield.

After being part of the side which completed the Heineken European Cup programme away to Leinster, hopes were high that the representative programme might yield higher honours for the ex-Heriot's centre/wing.

But at least Houston believes he is fresher as a consequence of two months out and ready to make up for lost time.

"There is a feeling in our dressing-room that we've under-achieved so far but a win over Connacht can start to get us back on track.

"We beat them in Galway earlier this season (27-14) but, since then, they've overcome both Leinster and Munster so it is more important than ever that we get off to a good start. In my experience, it is particularly important against good, honest scrappers like Connacht that you get ahead early and impose yourself on them.

"Otherwise they can really make life awkward," says Houston who will be making his 20th league appearance in a side which has prop Geoff Cross back for the first time since making his international debut for Scotland against Wales last month.