Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Pause Icon A two-lined pause icon for stopping interactions. Quote Mark A opening quote mark. Quote Mark A closing quote mark. Arrow An icon of an arrow. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Comment An icon of a speech bubble. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Menu An icon of 3 horizontal lines. Hamburger Menu Icon An icon used to represent a collapsed menu. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Twitter An icon of the Twitter logo. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo. Information An icon of an information logo. Plus A mathematical 'plus' symbol. Duration An icon indicating Time. Success Tick An icon of a green tick. Success Tick Timeout An icon of a greyed out success tick. Loading Spinner An icon of a loading spinner. Facebook Messenger An icon of the facebook messenger app logo. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Facebook Messenger An icon of the Twitter app logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. WhatsApp Messenger An icon of the Whatsapp messenger app logo. Email An icon of an mail envelope. Copy link A decentered black square over a white square.

Sean Maitland back in step with Scotland and Saracens

Sean Maitland has secured a move to the European champions and a recall for Scotland.
Sean Maitland has secured a move to the European champions and a recall for Scotland.

If timing is everything, as Sean Maitland believes, his could hardly have been better this week.

The classy Scotland wing has moved seamlessly, just like his entry into a backline move, and confirmed a move to double winners Saracens at the same time as getting a recall for Scotland’s forthcoming tour to Japan.

His timing was definitely awry when he pulled a hamstring on the eve of Scotland’s second RBS 6 Nations game against Wales in February and then watched from the sidelines as his teammates rattle off impressive victories against Italy and France, unable to regain his place.

It got even worse when his club London Irish failed to avoid the drop from the Aviva Premiership, but he’s gone from the bottom club to the top in one leap.

“Everything’s about timing, so I was very lucky,” he said. “It was pretty easy decision when I was asked to join the European and Premiership champions.

“It has been a tough year, I didn’t expect to find myself in a relegation battle. The teams I played for were the ones that were winning trophies so it was a new experience for me.

“Saracens coming in is good for the mind, actually. When you’re playing well but not getting the results your confidence does take a hit and especially in a relegation battle.

“I’m just grateful Sarries were interested. It’s a bit like Glasgow was, there will be real competition for places there so I’m really looking forward to it.”

It’s also a timely boost to Maitland’s international prospects. After being first choice since he came into the team and through the World Cup, he found himself out of favour for the last three games of the Six Nations.

“It was a worry, and I had that to consider as well,” he continued. “I am just 27 and I still think I have many years to give. Playing in the Championship would not have helped me with Scotland so that was a key decision as well.

“After I had to pull out of Wales Vern and I had a chat and he said a few things I needed to work on. That was the first time I wasn’t selected in the Scotland jersey so it sort of gave me a kick up the bum.

“I wasn’t too happy with the way I played in the England game and then pulling my hammy before the Wales wasn’t great. That’s timing again, you get your opportunity to prove yourself by your performance and I didn’t get the chance to improve on the week before, so I was a bit gutted.

“I really wanted to get back in that jersey and I’m just grateful to put it on for these two tests and really excited for the next couple of weeks.”

Maitland has never been to Japan but has friends who have settled there to play rugby, and is looking forward to the experience.

“It’s going to be really tough, they’re at home, most of their best guys are back they’ve got so much more experience.

Like us they’ve been playing pretty much all the way through since the World Cup and it’s the end of a long season, but it’s only two tests.

“There will be no complacency at all and a lot of attacking rugby, I think.”