Rugby: Paterson gets a call for Scotland gathering

Edinburgh Rugby star Chris Paterson is poised to cap his return from serious injury by challenging for a place in the Scotland squad for the forthcoming Autumn test series.

The 32-year-old was named in Andy Robinson's training group which will gather at St Andrews next week for a three- day camp. Paterson suffered kidney damage during February's RBS Six Nations defeat against Wales in Cardiff.

The injury ruled him out of the Edinburgh side as they challenged for Magners League honours and also put paid to any hopes of adding to his 100 international appearances and his career record points tally during Scotland's victorious two test summer tour to Argentina.

However, he is now well on the way to recovering full fitness and has played a full part in Edinburgh's pre-season build up. Paterson is one of 13 players from the Murrayfield- based outfit on Robinson's list of 37. In addition, the coach has shown faith in another Scotland regular who has been out of action.

Toulon back Rory Lamont also sustained a serious injury in Cardiff and has recently suffered a hand injury in training with his French club. However, the prognosis is for a one-month recovery period, meaning he will be available for the Autumn series.

Robinson has stressed the significance of the squad session as he looks to build on a run of three successive victories, all of them away from home, when New Zealand, South Africa and Samoa visit Murrayfield on successive weekends in November.

He said: "St Andrews is an important camp for us. It's about restating our collective values and our commitment to strive for improvement.

"I was pleased with how we ended last season but now our focus has to be on how we start this season, especially our opening game against the All Blacks."

Robinson has made it clear that the door remains open for players to force their way into the reckoning for selection once the competitive action gets underway and referred specifically to Jason White who has been out injured since January but has now resumed training with French champions Clermont Auvergne and should return to the side in the next two weeks.

Robinson added: "We will be closely monitoring form over the opening weeks of the season and there will be opportunities for those outwith the squad for St Andrews to be considered for the Autumn tests."

Scotland squad (for three-day camp at St Andrews, 9-11 August): Backs: Mike Blair, Ben Cairns (Edinburgh), Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors), Simon Danielli (Ulster), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh), Max Evans (Glasgow Warriors), Phil Godman, Alex Grove (both Edinburgh), Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors), Sean Lamont (Scarlets), Rory Lamont (Toulon), Rory Lawson (Gloucester), Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors), Dan Parks (Cardiff Blues), Chris Paterson (Edinburgh), Hugo Southwell (Stade Francais), Jim Thompson (Edinburgh) and Nikki Walker (Ospreys).

Forwards: John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors), Kelly Brown (Saracens), Geoff Cross (Edinburgh), Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors), Jim Hamilton (Gloucester), Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors), Nathan Hines (Leinster), Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Lawson (Gloucester), Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors), Alan MacDonald, Scott MacLeod (both Edinburgh), Euan Murray (Northampton Saints), Kyle Traynor (Edinburgh), Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester) and Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors).

In attendance: Johnnie Beattie (Glasgow Warriors).