LAWSON DELIGHT AT SCOTLAND CALL-UP
Scrum-half Lawson is one of four Newcastle Falcons players to be selected by his country after Suka Hufanga (Tonga), Taiasina Tu’ifua (Samoa) and Grant Shiells (Scotland) were all called upon by their respective countries earlier this week.
And the 31-year-old is delighted to get the call from Scotland head coach Andy Robinson ahead of next week’s showdown with New Zealand at Murrayfield.
“It’s great to get the call-up, and I am very excited to be involved with the set-up again,” Lawson told the gathering media.
“I missed the last Six Nations and the summer tour which followed, so you could call me the new guy again,” he added.
Speaking at the Falcons’ press conference in the build-up to this Saturday’s crunch RFU Championship clash at second place Bedford, Lawson admits he has always had aspirations to be a Scotland regular.
“Representing my country has always been something I have been keen to be involved in,” said Lawson.
“People may ask the question whether playing in the Championship each week prepares you properly, but scrum-half is a position where your role doesn’t change massively.
“Obviously there is a huge focus on the basics of the game such as passing and kicking, and you get that in any game,” he added.
With talented prop Grant Shiells the latest player to get the call to join Scotland’s training camp in St Andrews on Tuesday, Lawson insists there are a number his teammates still in the reckoning for an international berth.
Falcons boss Dean Richards has made no secret of the fact that Ally Hogg deserves a place in the Scotland set-up following a series of solid displays in Newcastle black.
Lawson said: “I think with Newcastle been close to the Borders we are right in the eye of the selectors, and there are a number of Scottish guys here who will fancy their chances.
“With that in mind they are keeping an eye on things here and that is good to see. With Scotland only having two pro teams it is important that guys are playing elsewhere week in week out.
“From Ally Hogg’s point of view, he’s got to be frustrated as he is playing incredibly well and is a mainstay of the team. To not be involved is tough, and I’m sure he will keep hammering on the door.”
Richards’ new-look Falcons unit travel to Bedford this weekend aiming to make it eight wins out of eight in the league as the feel good factor continues in the North East and Cumbria.
Seven points clear at the top of the Championship table, the northeasterners will face a stern test against the Blues at Goldington Road.
“Everyone is aware of the attacking threat that they pose, and they have scored a number of tries this season,” said Lawson.
“We will have to be on our toes in defence and if we get our bit right then hopefully that will put us in a strong position,” he added.
Lawson could be involved for Scotland against Tonga, a team that travel to Kingston Park to face a Falcons XV on Tuesday 13 November. Tickets are available online by clicking here or call the Falcons Ticket Hotline on 0871 226 6060.
