GREIG LAIDLAW today welcomed new squad member John Hardie into Scotland's Rugby World Cup training camp.

And the scrum-half reckons the New Zealander and other imports bring welcome competition for places.

Hardie, a forward who qualifies to play for Scotland through his grandmother, was drafted into the squad by national coach Vern Cotter two weeks ago.

The move was criticised by several former internationals, with ex-prop Peter Wright saying it “demeaned the jersey”.

But Laidlaw, who captained the team in last season’s RBS 6 Nations Championship, said Scotland were entitled to use the rules to select as strong a squad as possible.

And he explained that Cotter – a New Zealander – had assured the players there would be no favourable treatment towards 27-year-old Hardie.

“Everybody else does it in terms of looking at players who qualify for their country,” Laidlaw said. “John qualifies to play for Scotland and Vern wants to have a look.

“Vern has said all along that if he's not good enough then he won't play. If he is good then he will play. It's the same throughout the squad.

“If you look through the whole squad, there is competition for places and that can only be a good thing for Scotland. We only have the two pro teams, so the more good players who are up for selection the better.

“Vern gave me the heads up that John was en route a couple of days out.

He spoke to the leaders’ group just to give us the heads up. He made sure the whole squad knew before it was announced in the press, which is always appreciated by the players.

“He does ask our opinion and what we think. It's the way of the world and if Vern wants to have a look at him and he is Scottish qualified then that's what he's allowed to do.”

Hardie, who celebrated his 27th birthday on Monday, has been a low-key member of the training group so far, according to Laidlaw. “John is a quiet lad and a grafter. He doesn't say much - he just gets on with his work and I think the boys appreciated that. First impression is that he is a good bloke and Vern obviously sees something in him that he wants to have a look at.

“There have certainly not been any problems. He has come in, worked hard and the boys have appreciated that.

“I'm sure it was pretty nervous coming in – coming all the way over and straight into the national squad.

“That's just the way of the world, isn't it? Every other nation in the world looks at different players and Vern obviously sees something in this guy.”