TO DELVE into the pen-pictures section on Scottish Rugby's website is to find reference to a 42-cap utility back going by the name of Hugo "Finaly" Southwell.
A mis-print for "Finlay" it undoubtedly is but more to the point is just how much rugby life remains in this 28-year-old before the curtain "finally" falls on an already distinguished career?
As he looked forward to the spin-off from Scotland's to
ur victory in Argentina, Southwell said: "Beating the Pumas in Buenos Aires was a massive boost which makes everybody even more determined to kick on from there – including the Edinburgh contingent.
"Our first-half play was probably the best we have produced under the coaching of Frank Hadden. It felt like great work.
"So the guys must take a lot of confidence from not only competing effectively but producing the goods in a pretty hostile environment.
"We'll need all of that renewed confidence at Edinburgh, though, because the second season for any team under a new coach can be testing.
"Last year under Andy Robinson felt like a new start.
"Now we have to take care not to back-track and lose momentum with opponents knowing a bit more about us and trying to plan accordingly."
In looking to consolidate the progress that culminated in the highest-ever finish for Edinburgh in the Celtic League during 2007-08, Southwell added: "Where we are fortunate is having, not only players coming back from Argentina on a high but Scotland Sevens' squad members who did well on the IRB circuit.
"On top of that there are some exciting youngsters coming on board and the aim is for the more experienced players to positively influence the exuberance of youth."
What Southwell will certainly be able to pass on, especially to the up-and-coming stars, is the value of sheer determination after winning back his international place on tour.
Omitted from the match-day squad for the first time since making his Test debut in 2004, Southwell bounced back in style. He said: "Although I was gutted to be left out of the opening Test, the only way you can respond is by putting your head down in training and trying to show that, if things don't go well, you are ready to step up.
"That's what happened and, when I got the shout, I was fully prepared to come in and do a job."
What's more, retaining his place through the eight internationals next season would see Southwell join the exclusive 50-cap club, though such recognition is not foremost in his thoughts. He said: "Achieving that sort of milestone would be ideal but the priority has to be impressing Andy Robinson so as to be in his plans at a time when Chris Paterson is also back from a season in England."
Paterson has represented Edinburgh many times at full back but is currently turning out for Scotland on the wing.
Southwell added: "If we both perform to the best of our ability, then will be involved and for me that means playing at full back.
"So far as Chris is concerned, he is going to be lining up somewhere in the side as we try to go up a level. From taking the occasional big-name scalp, we want to start to beat strong opponents consistently and qualifying for the quarter-finals of the European Cup and so on."
As the new season looms, too, Southwell reveals the extent to which he is prepared to go to ensure both individual and team success. Speaking at the announcement of a sponsorship deal which saw Novotel Hotels become official accommodation suppliers to the Scotland team, Southwell noted that, while he is being married on Saturday to fiancée Federica Meoni from Edinburgh, he will make time on honeymoon to keep topping up his fitness training.
"The Edinburgh team are now back in training for those pre-season friendlies against Wasps and Bath, starting in six weeks time, but I've got permission to be away next week on honeymoon.
"There is so much at stake with Edinburgh that I'm keen not to lose ground," he says, aware that the prospective Mrs Southwell knows full well the importance attached to rugby in the Capital having been educated at the oval ball nursery that is George Watson's College.
In fact, her class-mates included future internationalists Jason White and Marcus Di Rollo.
The full article contains 751 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
