Scotland Head Coach Andy Robinson's naming of Richard Vernon in the replacements to face Fiji in Saturday's opening autumn international Bank of Scotland Corporate Autumn Test at Murrayfield is hugely significant for both the Dundee player and the Tayside & Fife Institute of Sport (TFIS).

The 6ft 5in 22 year old is the first rugby athlete, formerly supported by the Caledonia Rugby Academy programme, which worked in partnership with the TFIS, to earn a full cap.

"The Caledonia Rugby Academy process was about producing players, ultimately for Scotland,” said former Academy Manager, Colin Robertson, who recently took up the post of Grampian Institute of Sport Manager. 

“Richard was always hugely talented and he really bought into the Area Institute support in all areas. 

“Strength & Conditioning was huge for him and he worked with Paul McPate up to four times a week in the gym at Dundee.

“We did technical session usually twice a week and we worked closely with Bruce Beckett at Dundee High School to develop his game.

“He had a lot of Performance Lifestyle support to help him balance his rugby development with his medical studies.

“I’m almost certain Richard will get on tomorrow and he’s that good a player that I think he will get loads more caps.”