Six Nations is further bolstered by the Kiwi connection
New Zealanders making their presence felt in northern hemisphere’s premier international tournament
There was already a strong Kiwi feel to this season's Six Nations, with 50 per cent of the competing coaches hailing from New Zealand – namely Warren Gatland (Wales), Joe Schmidt (Ireland) and Vern Cotter (Scotland).
But that influence was strengthened with the inclusion on Tuesday in each of the Scotland and Wales squads of an uncapped New Zealand-born player not long arrived in their adopted countries, Hugh Blake and Gareth Anscombe respectively.
Cotter's decision to call up 22-year-old Edinburgh flanker Blake was particularly notable as the loose forward has yet to play for the club after arriving in Scotland on a six-year deal last month.
Hugh is a very good player and highly rated in New Zealand. He’s a very skilful player and generally gets two to three turnovers a game.
Blake could pack down alongside Blair Cowan, another Kiwi representing Scotland, with the Scots' native playing resources stretched thin by an inability to support more than two full-time professional clubs in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Cotter emphasised the commitment of Blake – qualified through his Scottish grandparents – to the Dark Blues by saying: "We have to be open-minded about this. Hugh's got Scottish ancestry and he is very proud of it.
"Hugh is a very good player and highly rated in New Zealand. He's a very skilful player and generally gets two to three turnovers a game.
"He's played against Richie McCaw and the best players in the world – and he's available for Scotland."
World champions New Zealand have long produced more good players than can be accommodated by the All Blacks.