HUGO SOUTHWELL insists there is no time to waste for players like himself looking to stake claims for a place on next summer's British and Irish Lions tour now that Ian McGeechan has been named as coach.
According to the 41-times capped full-back, who turned 28 yesterday, it is a happy coincidence that pitches his Edinburgh side against McGeechan's London Wasps in a friendly match at Murrayfield on Friday, August 23 to launch the 2008-09 season.
Southwell, speaking at the opening of Trinity Academy's new sports facilities at Bangholm underwritten by Edinburgh City Council and The Big Lottery Fund, said: "Especially those of us with a certain number of caps must have Lions aspirations.
"That Lions tour is only a year away and making a flying start to next season will help your cause.
"The fact everyone now knows who the coach is shows things are moving closer and Geech will be looking at every performance from every single guy with hopes of going on the Lions tour to South Africa.
"Chances to put yourself in the shop window will have to be taken and the visit of Wasps, where Geech is director of rugby, is a chance for Edinburgh players to put themselves in the shop window."
Priority for Southwell, though, is Scotland's forthcoming two-Test trip to Argentina where he hopes to make a first start against the Pumas.
Previously Southwell has been restricted to cameo roles from off the bench – at Murrayfield in 2005 and earlier this season in a World Cup quarter-final in France. "In total I've faced the Pumas for about 12 minutes of my career, so I'm hoping to improve on that," he says.
Southwell is optimistic that strong finishes to the Magners Celtic League season by Edinburgh and Glasgow can be carried over.
He said: "The highlight of my entire season has probably been the way Edinburgh finished with wins over three teams (Leinster, Ospreys and Llanelli) who are not just among the best in our league but also in Europe.
"In the past Edinburgh have struggled in the final third of the season but this year was better."
Edinburgh finished fourth with Glasgow one place behind in the table.
Southwell added: "Our tour party is largely made up of Edinburgh and Glasgow players so confidence is high. It will need to be against the Pumas who are unlikely to vary from there usual approach which will be to try and bully us up front."
Both sides are likely to be without French-based players but Southwell said Scotland would be gearing up as though facing full-strength opposition.
"I spoke to (Leinster's] Felipe Contepomi and he expects to play against us. Also, former Edinburgh player Francisco Leonelli has been doing well for Saracens so they will be strong and for us to expect anything different would be dangerous."
The full article contains 487 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
