Redpath: It was about the timing
CAMERON Redpath believes that making the decision to represent Scotland over England was a matter of timing.
However, he admits there was an emotional element to it given his family’s heritage.
Redpath has been courted by Eddie Jones and has even been named in England training squads, seemingly pointing towards a future in the white shirt.
However, the promising 21-year-old centre, who is the son of ex-scotland scrum-half Bryan, was called up to Gregor Townsend’s Scotland squad last week ahead of the Six Nations.
Having moved from Sale to Bath last year, he now feels the time is right to develop his own legacy.
“I want to build my own legacy instead of being in my dad’s shadow,” Redpath told Jim Hamilton on Rugbypass All Access.
“Obviously, it’s nice to have it there and I’m grateful to have a dad who’s played 60 games for Scotland, but I wanted to earn it.
“I stood by that the whole time. I didn’t want to rush into a decision.
“I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in the England camp but for me, it was never about Scotland-england, it’s been about where will I develop, where will I enjoy my rugby.
“I think it’s just the right time to play international rugby, well, at least try to. If I train well I’ll get my first cap hopefully.
“It’s the right time and I didn’t think the Autumn internationals were the right time.
“I wasn’t playing every week (at Bath). I was on the bench some weeks.
“For me it’s about playing international rugby at the right time.”
While he claims it is a rugby decision, he could not deny there was a beaming pride with which his family received the news.
“There’s a big emotional side to it for my family,” he added. “Telling my grandparents that I was going down the Scotland route, it was nice to hear actually.”