News

Maitland turns attentions to family bragging rights after Lions selection

SeanMaitlandvIreSB12
Scotland wing Sean Maitland admits he is hoping for family bragging rights this summer after earning selection on the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia.

Scotland wing Sean Maitland admits he is hoping for family bragging rights this summer after earning selection on the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia.

The 24-year-old is one of three Scotland players to be given the nod by Warren Gatland for the trip Down Under, with full-back Stuart Hogg and forward Richie Gray also being handed a plane ticket.

But the selection of Maitland came somewhat as a surprise with him having only five Test matches under his belt so far – all coming in the 2013 RBS 6 Nations.

However, despite his inexperience Glasgow Warrior Maitland impressed in the competition, scoring a debut try against England.

The Kiwi-born flyer is the cousin of Australian fly-half Quade Cooper, who he could come up against this summer, and Maitland insists that if he does he is not about to let the opportunity to get one over him pass him by.

“I will probably give him [Quade Cooper] a call later and give him a bit of stick and I am sure we will find the time to chat to each other,” he said.

“Hopefully he is in the Australian squad because it would be quite funny.

“We could probably talk about rivalry all day, starting from the age of five when he beat me in a long distance race.

“The last few battles we have had he has had the wood over me so hopefully I can get one over him.

“I am pretty speechless at the moment but myself and Hoggy are over the moon and words can’t really describe what I am feeling at the moment.

“I found out when it went live and I was with the Glasgow Warriors boys watching it in the changing room and then when my name got read out I was over the moon.

“I didn’t know what to say but all the boys starting cheering and I am very happy.

“It has definitely been a rollercoaster for me, coming over here to try and achieve new goals and to play for Scotland and that happened and it was a very proud moment for me.

“It just so happened to be a Lions year and everything worked out well for me but the hard work begins for me now.

“I am very excited to be going down to Australia and hopefully have a wonderful experience.”

Scotland players selected for British & Irish Lions:

Backs: Sean Maitland (Glasgow Warriors), Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors)

Forwards: Richie Gray (Sale Sharks)