Red-hot Rufus sprints straight into Scotland squad

PICKING up the ball on his own 22 at the Principality Stadium, Glasgow wing Rufus McLean looked up and saw a sea of Dragons players in front of him. Spying a gap in the Welsh side’s defence, the young Scot embarked on a blistering, jinking run that has taken him all the way into Gregor Townsend’s Scotland squad. While the spectacular try was a mere consolation in Sunday’s defeat for the Warriors, McLean was today celebrating a call-up for Friday’s Six Nations finale with France in Paris. With Sean Maitland unavailable, there is a chance that the uncapped 21-year-old could win his first cap off the bench. His solo try is already being hailed as try of the season but just who is Scotland’s latest rugby talent? Sportsmail looks at McLean’s background.

Born: March 2, 2000 in Boston, USA to Scottish parents who were working in America at the time. Position: Full-back/wing. Club: Glasgow Warriors Previous clubs: Melrose and Watsonians in the Tennent’s Premiership then Boroughmuir Bears in the FOSROC Super 6.

First caught the eye: Playing for Scotland Under-18s, then Under-20s. Scored three tries in four appearances in the Under-20s Six Nations, with the highlight coming against Wales when he beat three defenders on his way to the try line.

Attributes: Lightning quick with a fantastic rugby brain. Always looking for the ball and not scared to come off the wing to get more involved in the game.

Professional debut: versus Edinburgh, January 16, 2021. Height: 5ft 10in Weight: 75 kg (11st 11lb) Current form: On fire. His try against the Dragons is being hailed as one of the greatest solo efforts ever seen in the Pro14. McLean took the ball deep in his own half before going through a gap between two Dragons defenders and then speeding past two more. Then he sidestepped another and outsprinted two more before touching down in the corner. McLean then duly looked straight down the TV camera lens in celebration of his magical moment.