'A' team going back to the Borders - but Allister Hogg hoping he won't get call

SCOTLAND 'A' will return to the Borders this season with matches fixed up with the USA, Italy and Ireland.

More than 4,000 supporters headed to Netherdale in Galashiels for the 'A' team's return last season after an absence of seven years, the SRU's dispute with the Netherdale sports group over tenancy agreements agreed when the Borders professional team was still in town having played a part in the SRU shunning the region for representative games.

Relations between Gala RFC, the SRU and Scottish Borders Council are said to be much improved now and SBC's success in persuading the union to use the area for major fixtures would appear to be a sign of that. Allister Hogg captained the 'A' team in the 38-7 win over Tonga last November and, now the captain at Newcastle, he insisted that these games were crucial to the future strength of the national team.

"Obviously, I hope I'm not selected for the 'A' team at this moment in time, because, like everyone else, I want to be in Andy Robinson's Scotland squad (named today]," he said, "but if you're not in the full squad, the 'A' team is a valuable platform to help you get back in.

"That game last year was my last big game before I had my hip operation, which took me out of the rest of the season virtually. I came back and captained the 'A' team in Romania, and it was a great honour to captain the side.

"Andy and the coaches have put a lot of store in the 'A' team as a real stepping stone and the players have bought into that. So, it's great for young guys coming up to get an insight into the professional and representative game, and the different demands, and also good for guys who have not been in the frame to push for a place in the full squad.

"We have seen a lot of guys playing in that 'A' game in the autumn who go on to pay in the Six Nations - Ben Cairns, Thom Evans and Scott MacLeod all played in that game last year from memory, and Mike Blair played for the 'A' team against the Irish.

"And Gala is a great venue. They're passionate about their rugby in the Borders and we had a fantastic atmosphere that night which the players really enjoyed, and I expect the Borders people will support it in a similar way this year."

Scotland A will play the USA at Netherdale on Friday, 19 November (7:30pm), the night before Scotland face South Africa at Murrayfield. They will then play Ireland A on Friday, 28 January, which is a free weekend in the Magners League calendar, and then Italy A on the following Friday, 4 February - the night before Scotland play France in Paris - with 7:30pm kick-offs planned, but still to be confirmed for those games.Entry for all games is free.

Scottish Borders Council welcomed the games and pledged to use them to help develop rugby and attract more people to the region in order to bring a business as well as a sporting benefit to the area.

Hogg, a veteran of 48 Test matches, but still only 27, is hopeful that he can enjoy a sporting benefit today when Robinson unveils his autumn Test squad. The Scotland coach likes his No 8s to be bigger than Hogg's 6ft 3in, but the former Stirling player insisted that he remained determined to force his way back into the top squad even if it did not materialise quite yet.

"I have no idea if I'm in or not," he added. "The last time I spoke to Andy was pre-season and we had a good chat about the things he felt I had to work on.

"One was showing leadership and while I came down here to work hard and just keep my head down to begin with, after a few games I was asked to be captain which was a huge honour, but that shows my enthusiasm for leadership.

"It's been a tough start for us, but we have a lot of young players in this squad who need time to learn and develop at this level, and I can see a lot of positive signs. I've been involved in a lot at the club, a lot of the decision-making with the team and I'm working hard to improve my game too, so hopefully the coaches in Scotland see that.

"I'm desperate to get back involved. It is the greatest honour, to be picked for your country, and that doesn't change because you have got a lot of caps.

"I want to be playing for Scotland again, but if it doesn't happen this week I'll still be pushing hard at the door whenever there is another chance." And if that means using the 'A' team to do it I'll be happy to take that route."