JOHN HARDIE looks set to make his Scotland debut against Italy on Saturday, just weeks after moving from his native New Zealand to join up with Vern Cotter’s squad.

The openside flanker, who has been named in a squad of 25 for the game in Turin, has committed himself to playing for the national team, for which he qualifies thanks to a grandmother from Culross.

But, although he is at present without a club, he looks unlikely to turn out for Glasgow or Edinburgh last season.

Matt Taylor, who is on the verge of agreeing a new two-year deal to continue as an assistant coach with both the Warriors and Scotland, is confident that Hardie will not be short of offers.

But yesterday he said that the Warriors have enough No.7s, and predicted that the 27-year-old would find a club outwith Scotland.

"Listen, as a Glasgow coach I'd love to have a player like John, but at the moment we've got lots of good back-rowers,” Taylor said. “Seven is one position where we have very good players, too many for us to have him at Glasgow. But certainly he'll find a club in Europe somewhere.

“He’s a quality player with a strong background. He made the decision to come over here and I think he sees his rugby career at both national level and provincial level in the Northern Hemisphere now. He's a quality player so I'm sure there will be a lot of clubs keen to snap him up.”

Hardie only has a couple more weeks to go on his current contract with the Scottish Rugby Union, because he does not know if he will be picked for the final squad of 31 that will go to the Rugby World Cup. But he insisted that he has made a long-term commitment to Scotland.

“Scotland is in my blood,” he said. “My grandmother was born here. I’ve got to show my team-mates how much that jersey means to me and I know how much pride is in that jersey. I know the history too.

“You know by the way the boys train and the way they talk that it’s a massive thing. It’s something I will honour. Everyone knows how much it means.

“I’ve signed for a couple more weeks, and after that we’ll need to wait and see. I haven’t signed for Edinburgh or Glasgow yet, so I’ve taken a big risk coming over here.

“I want to stay in the Northern Hemisphere and play for Scotland if selected. I could do that by playing in England or France and I’ll need to look at my options.

“There is no fall-back in terms of going back to the Highlanders in New Zealand. There are challenges in life and this is one for me. I’m not thinking ‘What if?’, I’m happy with the decision I’ve made and I’m looking forward to the weekend.

“I’m totally committed to Scotland now. You’ve got to back your own ability and it’s about getting out there and performing. The next few weeks are going to be important for everyone and I am no different.”

Hardie is one of five uncapped players in the squad to face Italy. The others are Glasgow back Rory Hughes and three Edinburgh players – prop WP Nel, hooker Stuart McInally and back Damien Hoyland.

Lock Grant Gilchrist will captain the team, which will be named tomorrow.