Beattie backs ‘red-hot’ Lee Jones for Calcutta Cup baptism

EDINBURGH RUGBY winger Lee Jones is being tipped for a Scotland debut against England - by an ex-player who knows what it like to share in a record Calcutta Cup victory.

The teams meet at Murrayfield on Saturday at the start of the Six Nations Championship and John Beattie, who was part of a 33-6 home triumph in 1986, says: “One of my guesses is a first cap for Lee Jones, the former Selkirk winger.

“You pick players on form and Edinburgh dynamo Lee Jones is red hot right now.”

Coach Andy Robinson will name his line-up tomorrow and another Edinburgh player who is the focus of significant support for a first start is stand off Greig Laidlaw.

Scotland under-18 coach, Alex Duncan, says of a player capped twice as a sub.:

“If he (Laidlaw) was a New Zealander he would get the chance as he can do something different.

“The attack is not our Achilles heel, it is the next step which will come to making us a formidable side.

“I’m excited about our prospects, but international rugby is all about pressure and decision making which is why Laidlaw is a guy I would go for.

“Laidlaw has performed on every stage he has been asked to ...the Six Nations is another level.

“Would I gamble with him? Yes, as you will never know if he is able until you try him.

“Does he (Robinson) stick with the tried and trusted ... or the exciting prospect in Laidlaw?”