Rugby: Chris Paterson trains hard for boost to club and country

CHRIS PATERSON has given Edinburgh and Scotland rugby a boost by revealing he is training hard following the horror injury which almost cost him a kidney.

Facing Wales in Cardiff last February on the occasion of his 100th cap, Paterson split a kidney and, at one stage, he was actually told he'd lose the organ. However, Paterson's recovery appears to be stunning and he now says: "I'm on the mend (and] training quite hard.

"I'm into pre-season already. I'm looking forward to next year."

Paterson's remarks came just ahead of the national side completing a Test series triumph in Argentina on Saturday but he was still able to give further encouragement for the run-up to next year's world cup by referring to other experienced types who missed the South American sojourn but who could return.

"It's not only me (there's] Nathan Hines, Euan Murray and Jason White.

"Although the back row has played well, Jason White still has a huge amount to offer. He is recovering from a bad leg break," said Paterson.

On the severity of his own injury Paterson added: "When the doctors saw me it was 'the kidney's going to have to come out' because it was torn in two places and I'd also lacerated some tubing which was causing internal bleeding.

"Looking back my career could have ended."

• SCOTLAND A completed their visit to the Nations Cup in Romania with a 33-13 defeat by Argentine Jaguars.