By Andy Newport
Sean Maitland may not have been born in Scotland but he insists he was brought up to "hate" the English just as passionately as his Dark Blues teammates.
The New Zealand-born winger will this weekend hope to face the Auld Enemy for only the second time since switching allegiances to the homeland of his Glaswegian grandparents in 2013.
The 27-year-old made his international debut three years ago against the Red Rose at Twickenham but it was a bittersweet experience.
It took the London Irish back just nine minutes to register his first try but from there England took over, eventually winning 38-18.
Injuries have denied him the opportunity to face the English in the two meetings since but he has shaken off a recent shoulder niggle and should get a second chance when the nations meet on the opening day of this year's Six Nations at Murrayfield on Saturday.
The match will stir up emotions in the Scottish camp, especially as they look to make amends for the 20-0 drubbing they suffered in 2014.
But while Maitland insists a victory would mean just as much to him as his native colleagues, he will not allow the occasion to spoil his focus.
"My grandparents made it pretty clear that I had to hate the English," he joked.
"Not many people in New Zealand like the English as well.
"It is a massive Test match, it has been sold out for months and the atmosphere is going to be unbelievable."
Scotland's last Test was the controversial 35-34 loss to Australia in the World Cup quarter-finals, decided by referee Craig Joubert's disputed late penalty award.
London Irish winger Maitland says he has shaken off the pain of that last-gasp defeat.
"It was tough, and living in London I have to drive past Twickenham every morning and it reminds me of that day."
Reuters