He left only a few months ago to make a fresh start but John Beattie's homecoming could hardly have been more special as the professional assignment which has returned him to his native city came at the perfect time in the Scotland internationalist's private life.

"I'm delighted to be back on so many levels," says the 27-year-old former Glasgow Warrior whose form at new club Montpellier has earned his recall to the Scotland squad. "Jen and I got engaged over Christmas and this was the first time we could get back and see all the family, which was the first thing. Then, obviously, it is my home town so it was nice to be back in Glasgow and to be back and see everyone . . . be part of the squad, with the different coaching staff, it is a hell of an opportunity. It is only day one but it is great."

Three seasons ago, Beattie looked set to become one of the most important figures in the Scotland squad after his stomping run produced the try which allowed the national side to claim a potentially pivotal win over Ireland in Dublin.

It was Scotland's first win in the Irish capital since the 1990s, following hard on the heels of a draw with England and a first Test series win was to follow that summer in Argentina. However, he required surgery on a shoulder injury immediately after that tour and, as he struggled to regain form, so Scotland lost their momentum. It is hard now to see the two as unrelated.