Jed-Forest's 'scrum-half factory' produces again as Greig Laidlaw gets the nod

Lawson, who was first-choice scrum-half for Scotland on the summer tour to Argentina, was recovering well from a broken hand suffered last month, but sustained a fresh hand injury in last week's LV= Cup match in Newport.

Robinson selected him on the bench in the hope that the swelling might subside, but yesterday had to accept that the injury would need more time to heal. Lawson's bitter disappointment is Laidlaw's delight, however, and although something of a late developer, having just turned 25, if the Edinburgh scrum-half makes an appearance on Saturday he will have beaten his uncle Roy to a debut cap by just over a year.

Roy made the first of 47 Test appearances in 1980 and faced the All Blacks on four occasions with Scotland and another four with the British and Irish Lions, the closest he came to a win being the 25-25 draw at Murrayfield in 1983.

He was swiftly followed from the small Borders town of Jedburgh, population just 4,000, by Gary Armstrong, who made his debut at 21 and won 51 caps.

Laidlaw knew Lawson was struggling, but would not allow his hopes to rise until approached yesterday by Robinson.

On whether he might seek any words of advice from his famous uncle, who is also hosting a reception for former internationalists at Saturday's Test match with former half-back partner John Rutherford, Greig said: "I'll give him a phone tonight and see if he has any words of wisdom for me. Over the years he has helped me a lot.

"Hopefully, it will be a special occasion for the Laidlaw family. It's obviously a long time since Roy played, but he was a legend in his day and I'd be absolutely delighted to add another cap to the Laidlaw household."

Deputising for Mike Blair will be a familiar feeling for Laidlaw, who has kept the bench warm at Edinburgh most of the season, and Blair, now the Scotland skipper, commented: "I'm absolutely chuffed for him.

"He's one of the hardest working scrum-halves. Once the whistle goes for the end of the session he makes me feel guilty because he stays out there practicing his passing and kicking. He's a real grafter. He's not had it easy in the last three or four years, but he's worked bloody hard at his game and definitely deserves his opportunity."

Laidlaw added: "A couple of injuries have left the door open and it's a good chance for me now to play well, if I get on, in a Scotland jersey, but you don't know how the game is going to go so we'll just have to wait and see.

"Obviously, I'm hoping I get on and can bring my game to the table, but it's out of my hands.I don't think it would be daunting, but exciting. This is why I play rugby. I want to play for Scotland so if my chance came along I'd try and enjoy it as much as I could."