Hugo Southwell has some valuable advice from a former Scotland great to thank for his big chance in international rugby.

The 24-year-old full back from Haywards Heath made his first start for the Scots in their recent 35-15 Test defeat to Australia in Melbourne.

Southwell, who plays his club rugby in the Celtic League for Edinburgh Gunners, earned high marks as Chris Patterson's stand-in as the Wallabies were given a tougher test than the 20-point margin suggested.

Now he is hoping to keep his place for the autumn internationals, when Patterson is likely to be available again from his fractured cheekbone.

It is a meteoric rise for the former Sussex Second XI cricketer but one which might not have happened without the input of Craig Chalmers.

The pair were club mates at National One outfit Worcester when Chalmers, capped 60 times by Scotland, offered some career-changing advice.

Southwell said: "I went up to Edinburgh nine months ago with the intention of trying to get into the Scottish international set-up.

"I had the option of sticking it out down south but Craig recommended I go and play for Edinburgh. I played every game last year and it was about proving myself for them."

Southwell qualifies for Scotland thanks to a grandfather from Falkirk and, having progressed from wing to full back for his club, was confident of a call-up for the summer tour.

He came on as a replacement against Samoa before getting the call to start in Melbourne.

He said: "The target was to get into the team. I thought it might come along maybe in the next year or two if ever so it happened pretty quickly.

"It's not like I'm only 19 or 20. I felt pretty comfortable about it all and I had the half-hour against Samoa so I felt pretty confident.

"Melbourne was awesome. It was in front of about 50,000 people with the roof on so the noise was enclosed.

"I wasn't really nervous though, more buzzing. I don't tend to get too nervous.

"The main thing was the tackling. At full back if you miss a tackle you are seen by everyone but it went reasonably well."

So well that Wendell Sailor and Clyde Rathbone were among those denied scores by big hits from the debutant.

Although injuries to others have helped give Southwell his chance at No. 15, he insists he can keep his place and points to the fact that he would have made the squad even if everyone had been fit.

He has agreed a new two-year deal with Edinburgh on the strength of his first season, during which he scored seven tries Along with the rest of the club's international players, he is now enjoying a four-week break before returning to work. He made the most of a few days in Sussex to visit his former coaches at Eastbourne College and discuss their rugby strategy.

A few rounds of golf were also fitted into the schedule.

In fact, the only thing the former captain of Haywards Heath CC did not get round to was donning his whites.

He said: "I've played a game in the Scottish League for Heriots but I don't have time for cricket now. I'm too busy for that."