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Rugby Union

Rory Lawson woke up on Friday morning ready to lead Scotland A out against Tonga at Netherdale.

The following day, the Gloucester scrum-half was making history at Murrayfield as part of the first Scotland side to beat Australia for 27 years.

The unlikeliest of heroes in the unlikeliest of victories struggled more than most to process quite how he came to be holding aloft the Hopetoun Cup in Edinburgh on Saturday night.

Lawson was drafted into the senior squad after co-captain Mike Blair failed to recover from an ankle injury.

Then, with just 20 minutes on the clock in the most dramatic of matches, the 28-year-old suddenly found himself thrust into the limelight when skipper Chris Cusiter was forced from the field with a head knock.

Lawson told Press Association Sport: "It was a whirlwind couple of hours, from turning up to team run on Friday, not really knowing the situation.

"Obviously, Mike was unfortunate not to pass his fitness test but it opened up an opportunity for me.

"Similarly, with Chris getting a bang to the head, it gave me an opportunity to get a good run-out and gave me the opportunity to make an impact."

Lawson took his big chance with both hands, helping Scotland complete one of the greatest rearguard victories in recent Test history.

His performance gives Andy Robinson a real headache as he prepares to name his team for Saturday's final autumn international against Argentina.

By appointing Cusiter and Blair co-captains, the Scotland boss made it more difficult than ever for Lawson to represent his country.

Lawson, who has earned all but one of his 16 caps from the bench, said: "Chris and Mike are fantastic players, there's no getting away from that.

"And with them both being co-captains, it could become a little disheartening.

"But with these opportunities, you've got to make the most of them."

Lawson was one of the players Robinson singled out for praise after Saturday's 9-8 win.

The scrum-half said: "I knew it wasn't going to be a day for flash rugby.

"As it was, the territory and possession went against us heavily.

"But there was a huge amount of guts and in the second half."

Scotland defended for their lives for almost the entire 80 minutes as Australia wasted a host of points-scoring opportunities.

Lawson said: "Someone told me there was 78% possession to the Australians.

"To be able to keep them to eight points when that's the case is something pretty special."

Lawson cannot have experienced a more dramatic Test, which climaxed when Matt Giteau missed a conversion with the final kick of the game to hand Scotland victory.

By that time, the 44,762 at Murrayfield had been whipped into a frenzy.

Lawson said: "I think everyone maybe sensed that there was something special happening.

"Obviously, it got a little bit edgy towards the end and I'm sure everyone was biting their nails and shutting their eyes and saying their prayers when it came to Matt Giteau's last kick.

"But these things happen in sport and for us it was lucky he maybe wasn't on form."

From being nowhere near the team on Friday, Lawson will forever be associated with one of Scottish rugby's greatest results.

But he insists that will mean nothing if he and the team as a whole fail to build on their remarkable victory, starting with Argentina.

He said: "There are players who have won Grand Slams, there are players who have done it all but not beaten the Australians.

"I think everyone's aware how special that is.

"It may take a while to sink in and I'm sure we'll go away and review that game.

"That's the important thing now, that we kick on as a squad and build on it."