Paterson Returns To Scotland Squad

Scotland’s most-capped player Chris Paterson is returning to the national squad for a three-day training camp in St Andrews later this month. Paterson, 32, who suffered kidney damage when he won his 100th cap against Wales back in February, has worked diligently on his rehabilitation and although the national team’s summer tour to Argentina came too early in his recovery, he is now playing a full part in Edinburgh’s pre-season training. Rory Lamont, who sustained knee ligament damage in that same international, also returns for the St Andrews camp, a recent hand injury being expected to heal in plenty of time for the Autumn.   Today, Scotland head coach Andy Robinson named Paterson and Lamont in a 37-strong squad for the camp at St Andrews from 9-11 August. The squad also includes all players who featured in the historic series triumph in Argentina, except for No 8 Johnnie Beattie, who has undergone surgery on a troublesome shoulder and is now on a long-term rehabilitation programme.  Beattie will be “in attendance” at St. Andrews.  The squad is completed by a number of players who were ruled out of the summer tour through either injury or non-availability. Robinson said today:  “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 (three successive away Test match victories) but now our focus has to be on how we start this season, especially our opening game against the All Blacks.” Robinson added that Paterson’s fellow 32-year-old, Jason White, remains very much part of his thoughts. “I have not invited Jason to the St Andrews camp as I think the priority for Jason at the moment is to concentrate on his pre-season duties at Clermont Auvergne after the leg injury he suffered last season. “I have spoken to Jason and I know how determined he is to be part of our plans this season. “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, 2010 BacksMike 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)