Rugby Union: Scotland turn to veteran Burnell

THE VETERAN prop Paul Burnell has declared he is ready to carry on defying the ageing process and help launch a new era of Scottish rugby, nearly a decade after laying the foundations for its finest hour.

The 33-year-old London Scottish front-row stalwart is expected to be named today in the Scotland team to open their international season against the New Zealand Maoris at Murrayfield on Saturday.

His selection will be welcomed by those who like their tight-head props of the "big and bulky" variety and is also reward for a willingness to adapt to the ever-increasing demands of the modern game.

Burnell is in familiar territory, having been selected at the 11th hour for the final match of this year's Five Nations campaign, against England, despite a three-year absence from the international scene.

Subsequently overlooked for a place on the summer tour to Australia, the neck injury which has ruled Matthew Proudfoot out until the new year has now handed Burnell another opportunity to add to his 42 caps.

However, far from seeing it as a last hurrah, Burnell, a pivotal figure in the 1990 Grand Slam side, believes he can continue to serve his country for as long as he keeps his mind on the job in hand.

"I count myself fortunate that I am paid to do what I love doing, and professional rugby has affected everyone in terms of training, attitude and rest," he said. "The level of fitness has improved; the game has got quicker and faster, and the players have changed with it.

"I am playing as well as I have ever played, and that is in the English Premiership against high-class opposition week in, week out. It is not so much the way you keep yourself physically these days but how well you are attuned mentally at the top level."

Burnell, who won his first cap against England in 1989 and was also a Lion in 1993, is certainly aiming to remain in contention for a third World Cup this time next year after featuring in both the 1991 and 1995 tournaments.

"I have got another two years on my contract at London Scottish, so we will see what happens after that," he said. "But I don't feel any older than I was when I was 23, and my appetite for the game is as big as ever."

His challenger for the No 3 jersey in the current squad is the Glasgow Caledonians prop Willie Anderson. The 31-year-old former Kirkcaldy player's form in the European Cup has been rewarded with a belated first senior call-up.

"I have been following and playing rugby since I was a small schoolkid, and it would be my ultimate ambition to get a Scotland cap," he said.