Return of Hardie can spur me on, says rival Watson

Scotland flanker Hamish Watson has welcomed the return from suspension of his club and country openside rival John Hardie, believing renewed competition for the No 7 jersey will benefit his game.

Hardie is available for selection again after a three-month ban for “gross misconduct”. He is unlikely to go straight back into the Edinburgh squad for Saturday’s European Challenge Cup match against Stade Francais, with a Hawick club game more likely, and was not included in Gregor Townsend’s Six Nations squad.

Watson has moved ahead of Hardie in the pecking order but knows that when he returns from Scotland duty it will be back to battling Hardie for club places.

“He’s been great,” said Watson of his team-mate. “He’s a popular guy in the squad and came back in after a few months out and fitted in really well. He’s training well.

“You need to have depth in the squad and not be comfortable, thinking that you’re going to be starting every week, because that’s when your performances drop off.”