Heathcote switches allegiance

England Under-20 international Tom Heathcote has been called into the senior Scotland squad ahead of this weekend's international against Tonga in Aberdeen.

Heathcote, 20, plays his club rugby for English Premiership side Bath and the flyhalf played for England in this year's IRB Junior World Championship.

But he is Scotland qualified on account of being born in Inverness.

He was called up by Scotland coach Andy Robinson, himself a former England flank and coach, after Ruaridh Jackson was one of five players released from the squad.

Heathcote told www.scottishrugby.org: "I am delighted to be called up to the Scotland squad. I've always known I was eligible to play for Scotland and I'm grateful to be given this opportunity."

Robinson added: "Tom has worked his way into the Bath first team squad from the academy and we've been monitoring his progress for the last couple of years."

Scotland are due to name their side Wednesday as they look to end the European series with a victory after defeats by world champions New Zealand and South Africa.