| Venue: Murrayfield, Edinburgh Date: Saturday, 24 February Kick-off: 16:45 GMT |
| Coverage: Watch live on BBC One, iPlayer and online from 16:00 GMT; commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live; live text on BBC Sport website & app |
Had all gone to plan, Kyle Steyn would have been playing for Scotland against France. Instead, he was helping his wife through a lengthy labour and screaming at the TV.
Fast forward a fortnight and newborn daughter Arabella Rose will be watching from the stands as Steyn bids to deliver an eye-catching performance for Gregor Townsend’s side in the Calcutta Cup showdown with England.
The winger was omitted from the line-up just hours before kick-off against Les Bleus when family matters took priority, with Harry Paterson parachuted in for an impressive debut in the agonising and controversial loss.
Having caught up on much-needed sleep – his mum’s arrival from South Africa has been “a bit of magic” on that front – the 30-year-old is raring to go and desperate for selection against England on Saturday.
“My wife was in labour from four o’clock on the Friday afternoon and we were kind of hoping maybe I’d still make it back if baby was born in the middle of the night,” Steyn said of his domestic drama.
“But it didn’t go that way and credit has to go to Harry and Kyle [Rowe] – both changed position last minute. Harry had a great debut and Kyle played really well on the wing.
“I was busy on the couch. I was trying my best to watch, but every five or so minutes my attention went elsewhere. I caught bits of it.
“I was like every other Scot screaming that’s a try. I was more just gutted for the boys. I could see on their faces. You could see how much they were hurting – the feeling that it was one that got away.”
Arabella Rose, Steyn’s first child, was finally born two days after the France game and already has a Scotland kit sorted for watching dad in action for the first time.
“She was only born on Monday at 11.20ish. It ended up being a C-Section for my wife – she was an absolute champion the whole way through,” Steyn said.
“I’ve been to and from between home and camp, but one big reason is my wife. She was amazing in those last couple of weeks, she was fully supportive of me going out to Spain and Cardiff. By that stage, she was over her due date, so it could have been any minute.
“They’ll be there at the weekend, my mum’s over. Scottish Rugby gifted me a little jersey that says ‘Daddy’ on the back, so if I get to play and they’re there, it’ll be amazing.”
Steyn, who has 16 caps, is braced for a formidable challenge against an England side who are “finding their gears” under head coach Steve Borthwick.
England head into Saturday’s at Murrayfield two from two in the Six Nations after victories over Italy and Wales. The Scots beat Wales before going down controversially to France in round two.
“They are a really good side with a lot of threats, so it’s a great challenge for us,” Steyn added.
“Coming off the back of the World Cup, they’ve just made the semi-finals and they seem to be finding their gears under the new management.
“It’s an amazing game to play. I’ve never played Calcutta Cup at home, so I can’t wait for that. It’s a great challenge and one we’re looking forward to.”
