Kyle Steyn back in contention for England clash after birth of baby girl

It’s fair to say that this is a Six Nations campaign that Kyle Steyn will never forget.

After helping Scotland to an opening game win over Wales, which was also their first victory in Cardiff in 22 years, the winger was all set to take on France in Scotland’s second game.

But in a last minute twist of fate the 30-year-old had to miss the game at Murrayfield after the arrival of daughter Arabella Rose that same weekend.

He said: “I was at dinner and I had my phone on ‘do not disturb’ so only my wife’s number could get through. So as soon it rang I knew exactly.

“It was Friday night when I got the call, so I went to James (Robson) and Gregor (Townsend) and just told them I was going and said we’d keep in comms.

“She had been in labour from around 4pm on Friday and we were kind of hoping that I could still make it back if the baby was born in the middle of the night, but it didn’t go that way.”

Even though he had other issues on his mind, he still managed to keep one eye on the game as Scotland almost secured a famous win over the French.

Gregor Townsend’s men fell to a 20-16 defeat after a contentious decision at the end of the game and even though Steyn’s mind was otherwise occupied he still felt the pain of his teammates.

He said: “I was trying my best to watch, but every five or so minutes my attention went elsewhere.

“I think I was the same as every Scot watching, just screaming ‘that’s down, that’s a try’ but I was more just gutted for the boys. You could see on their faces and I think that’s what really hurt.”

Now back in contention in Gregor Townsend’s squad Steyn is relishing the prospect of taking on England when the sides meet in Edinburgh on Saturday.

He said: “With the history of the Calcutta Cup and Scotland vs England and I think as far as the Six Nations goes and being a Scotland rugby player then there’s no bigger occasion than this one at home.

“We’re really excited by that opportunity, especially in a year when we only have two home games, we had the force of Murrayfield behind us for the France game and the boys are really looking forward to feeling that support again at the weekend.”