Scotland No 8 Nick Haining is a latecomer to Test rugby and determined to make up for lost time

Nick Haining has Georgia on his mind this week as he looks to reignite his fledgling international career.

Nick Haining gets his hands on the Auld Alliance trophy after Scotland's win over France in March. Chris Harris and Magnus Bradbury join in the celebrations. Picture: Gary Hutchison/SNS

The big Aussie No 8 was a surprise pick earlier this year when Gregor Townsend named his squad for the Guinness Six Nations.

Scotland were starting to build some momentum in the championship before coronavirus intervened. Opening defeats by Ireland and England gave way to wins over Italy and France.

Haining played his part, making his debut in Dublin, featuring as a sub against England and then starting in the win over France at Murrayfield.

Nick Haining in training for the Georgia game alongside Oli Kebble. Picture: Craig Williamson/SNS

Scotland impressed against the French and will try to carry some momentum into their final Six Nations match against Wales which has been rescheduled for a week on Saturday in Llanelli.

But before that comes Georgia at Murrayfield on Friday night and Haining expects a tough examination.

“It’s a big game,” he said. “We know Georgia are going to have a big pack and some dynamic backs as well. We just want to get our stuff right. The game plan we’ve put in place - we’ve already hit the ground running and we have no doubt that will lead us into the game, then build that momentum and build towards winning all these games throughout the autumn Tests and towards the final.”

It’s a busy schedule but Scotland will get the chance to take a breather after the Wales game. They have a free weekend before the new Autumn Nations Cup kicks off on 14 November with an away match against Italy. Home games follow against France and Fiji before a final classification match on the weekend of 5-6 December.

It adds up to six Test matches across seven weekends but Haining isn’t complaining. As something of a latecomer to international rugby - he turned 30 last month - you suspect he is eager to make up for lost time.

“My involvement with Scotland has been really exciting so far,” said the Edinburgh player who is eligible for Scotland through his grandmother from Dundee. “It was probably a bit unexpected on my part but I’m really relishing and enjoying the opportunity.

“It was a bit of an abrupt end to the season for everyone and we all had to adapt to the new circumstances.

“But we’ve all been chomping at the bit and it’s good to be back in camp. Everyone is raring to go and you can see that in our training.”

Haining was an interested observer at the weekend as Exeter beat Racing 92 to win the Heineken Champions Cup and was particularly impressed by Chiefs’ No 8 Sam Simmonds who scored a try and was named European player of the year on Saturday night.

Haining believes Simmonds is redefining the role of the No 8 in modern rugby.

“He’s a different flavour of No 8,” said the Scotland man. “He’s not the biggest guy but he’s bloody explosive which is something you obviously want to have in your team and he really helps Exeter in their go-forward.

“Every time he gets the ball he breaks the line or does something. He’s from that new breed of No 8s that hopefully we aspire to be like.”

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