HE may have been born in New Zealand but Blair Cowan insists he will be the proudest Scot on the BT Murrayfield pitch on Saturday.

The 28-year-old back-row forward will make his home debut against Argentina after playing three times for Vern Cotter's side in the summer tour of the Americas.

Cowan's dad is from the Cook Islands but he is proud that his mum Joan was born in the village of Blairmore, near Dunoon, before she emigrated with her parents.

And he is humbled that she has flown halfway round the world to see him play this weekend.

The London Irish star said: "After coming here to Scotland and seeing the people, I can now see where my family get their values from.

"My mum, my grandad and my uncle are based in New Zealand but they are all very Scottish.

"They are very proud and passionate people and I think that shows in the way I play. I wear my heart on my sleeve.

"When I call my grandad with good news I can hear his voice crack. That almost brings me to tears.

"My family's been the backbone of my career. I owe them a lot. It is great to represent Scotland on their behalf."

Cowan added: "I got a taste of playing for Scotland this summer but my eyes are set on running out at Murrayfield. That would probably be the highlight of my career.

"It would be the first time in six years that I've played in front of my mum. To play in front of the Scottish crowd would be huge but to play in front of my family makes it even more special."

Cowan's inclusion in the squad may have spelled the end of Kelly Brown's international career. Cowan said: "I have the utmost respect for Kelly, but that's the nature of professional sport and I'm just lucky enough to be what Vern is after.

"Kelly's absence is the elephant in the room but I have put it behind me to concentrate on my job.

"I want to take the next step with Scotland. I was reasonably happy with the end-of-year tour, but there were still things I could improve on. Now is a chance to show exactly what I can do if I get the opportunity to play."

Meanwhile, Glasgow prop Ryan Grant has been invited to train with the Scotland squad after Allan Dell was ruled out with a leg injury.

Grant, who toured Australia with the 2013 British and Irish Lions, is only just back from shoulder surgery, but could end up replacing Dell after he was injured in the 33-8 defeat to Leinster in Dublin.