Don’t question my Scottish heritage says new man Blair Cowan

London Irish back rower Blair Cowan insists he is no ‘kilted Kiwi’ and that his shock call-up by Scotland is the fulfilment of a lifelong dream.
Deemed surplus to requirements by Worcester at the end of last season, Cowan’s early season form for the Exiles has been highly impressive. But even he admits to being shocked at his selection by Scotland boss Scott Johnson.
“There was a voice message on my phone and it was the first I’d heard about it, so there were a good few fist-pumps,” Cowan, 27, said.
“I’ve got a real strong heritage on my Scottish side. If you met my mum, you couldn’t find anyone who’s more Scottish and my whole family are delighted, except my Scottish uncle. When I told him, he just said, ‘are they that desperate!’
“Joking aside, it’s a dream come true. It just so happened that when Scott Johnson came down to see Kieran Low, who has also been picked, Brian Smith told him I was Scottish-qualified. Scott said he’d keep an eye on me – and did!”
Cowan, who hails from Upper Hutt, New Zealand, where he attended the same school as Leicester’s Thomas Waldrom, arrived in England in 2009 when his long-time mentor, Chris Stirling, signed him for the Cornish Pirates.
“Chris knew me from age-grade in New Zealand and knew I was Scottish-qualified and had a passport, so he brought me over,” Cowan explained “I don’t think I’d be anywhere near where I am now if it wasn’t for Chris.”
After the disappointment of release by Worcester, Cowan has been given his head by the Irish management. He now wants to back up that form by making his Scotland debut against Japan in a fortnight.
He added: “I wasn’t what Worcester wanted but at Irish I’ve had good game-time and exposure and I’m playing the rugby I like. That led to my call-up, but it’s not actually going to mean a lot until I’m standing on the pitch making my Scotland debut.”
NEALE HARVEY