Thompson in wings ready to pick up first full cap

Less than a week earlier, Thompson's celebrated grandfather, Bill McLaren, had passed away and it was only appropriate that in Edinburgh's first subsequent match, against Stade Francais in the Heineken European Cup, a minute's applause would be held.

"I know Papa would have wanted me to play which is why I said 'yes' when Edinburgh coach Rob Moffat pulled me aside and asked if I was okay to turn out.

"(Cousin] Rory Lawson also played for Gloucester that weekend so it was a family decision albeit it was a tough day especially lining up for the applause and, to be honest, I was glad when the match was over.

"The Heineken Cup is a high standard of rugby and I seemed to do okay so, yes, maybe, that's where things started to go well for me."

Edinburgh won 9-7 and within hours Thompson had been called up to the Scotland squad for pre-Six Nations training at St Andrews.

"Unfortunately, I picked up a knock against Stade and by the time I reached St Andrews my knee had swollen so much that I was turned around and sent almost straight home.

"After that, I played against Ireland A when maybe I shouldn't have as the knee was still troublesome.

"So, five weeks off were required before I was sorted to the extent that I hopefully won't need any treatment in the close season.

"In fact, my absence can maybe work to advantage since I certainly feel fresh and ready to challenge for a cap," said the man who spent much of last season coaching Heriot's second team.

Thompson travels as the only uncapped member of a 27-strong party and can take re-assurance from the fact that tours have always brought the best out of him albeit this one is different in that it is strictly about two international fixtures with the Pumas – in Tucuman on 12 June and Mar del Plata a week later.

Thompson, who will cover full-back, could also be renewing acquaintance with some old rivals since his first Scotland A cap came against an Argentinean XV when he scored a try to help his side reach the final of the Churchill Cup in Canada two years ago.

Last summer was also a highlight for the son of Channel 4 racing commentator Derek Thompson since he played in all three matches as Scotland A won the Nations Cup in Romania.

"That last tour in particular was a really good feeling and hopefully it will be the same on this trip.

"From previous experience, I know Argentinean sides will be very good at stopping you from playing as well as very physical.

"They will inevitably have big guys who tackle hard and hit rucks hard so the goal has to be moving them around as I saw from the crowd when Argentina visited Murrayfield last November."

If Thompson takes the final step to a cap then he will be happy to dedicate at least part of the award to the increasingly notable Royal High rugby nursery in Edinburgh.

In recent seasons, both Ben Cairns and Alan Macdonald have emerged from Barnton playing fields to win top honours and although his main schooling was at Dollar Academy, Thompson has strong Royal High connections too.

He recalls: "I played mini rugby at Royal High and also for their colts side so there's no doubt they have done a lot to help me reach the Edinburgh side.

"Edinburgh is really all I've been thinking about these past few weeks but when the season ended last weekend thoughts turned to the summer tours.

"I thought I might get on the A tour to Romania but I'm delighted to be going with the full Scotland side after receiving a text from the manager just a few hours before the official announcement."

According to coach Andy Robinson, it was with the A side in Romania that Thompson's potential really started to be noticed.

Undoubtedly, he owes this opportunity to the kidney injury sustained by Chris Paterson but Robinson says: "Last year in Romania was where Jim really came through and showed real potential on the back of a season where he had been in and out of Edinburgh's side.

"Unfortunately, he got injured but now he is back and working within the (Scotland] squad."

If it is true the real strength of a squad can be gauged by who has to be left out, then Robinson's announcement certainly gives encouragement bearing in mind there is no room for the likes of Ben Cairns, Ally Hogg, Scott Macleod, Richie Vernon and Ross Rennie as well as the injury victims along with Nathan Hines, who will be returning to Australia for a spell on family business.

Significantly, too, Scotland will be travelling on the back of a concluding Six Nations victory (in Ireland] and, if that is repeated, it will be only their third in Argentina having played there nine times previously.

Former England coach Robinson has, however, dismissed suggestions of a psychological boost ahead of a meeting between the countries in a pool game at next year's World Cup.

"I went on tour to Argentina in 2006 with England and that was all about planning for a World Cup which I did not make.

"Through experiences I've had, I've got to enjoy each moment and each game," he said.

FULL SQUAD

Backs: Mike Blair (Edinburgh), Chris Cusiter (c) (Glasgow), Simon Danielli (Ulster), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh), Max Evans (Glasgow), Phil Godman (Edinburgh), Alex Grove (Worcester), Sean Lamont (Scarlets), Rory Lawson (Gloucester), Graeme Morrison (Glasgow), Dan Parks (Glasgow), Hugo Southwell (Stade Francais), Jim Thompson (Edinburgh).

Forwards: John Barclay (Glasgow), Johnnie Beattie (Glasgow), Kelly Brown (Glasgow), Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Richie Gray (Glasgow), Jim Hamilton (Edinburgh), Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow), Scott Lawson (Gloucester), Moray Low (Glasgow), Alan MacDonald (Edinburgh), Euan Murray (Northampton), Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester).