Sean Maitland: Handed start against England

Edinburgh's Visser will combine with Glasgow rival Sean Maitland - born and raised in New Zealand - to form a formidable attack down the flanks as Scotland begin their RBS 6 Nations campaign against England on Saturday.

Maitland's inclusion has drawn criticism from the purists who demand those playing for the national team have Scottish blood coursing through their veins.

Maitland qualifies on the grounds of his Glasgow-born grandparents but Visser's eligibility is more tenuous.

The 25-year-old - raised in Zeewolde in Holland - was granted his rugby passport after completing three years of residency in Scotland.

Visser, who once turned out for England Schoolboys during a spell with Newcastle's academy side, made his debut for Scotland against Fiji last summer just four days after passing that 36-month mark.

But now he insists that if the International Rugby Board rules permit it, there is no reason why Maitland should not represent the land of his ancestors.

Visser said: "Rules are rules, so people are eligible or not.

"My view is slightly skewed because of the way I got into the team.

"But if Sean is eligible and good enough to play for us, and he has shown a desire to represent Scotland, I think he should be able to."

Maitland is the only uncapped name among a team heading to Twickenham for the Calcutta Cup clash that is nevertheless split between youth and experience.

Tried and tested figures such as Euan Murray, who wins his 50th cap in London, and skipper Kelly Brown will add a touch of maturity to the squad.

But there are still five members of the starting XV with just 10 caps or less.

Visser, though, insists interim head coach Scott Johnson has got the mix just right.

He said: "There is certainly some brilliant talent in there. Some old stalwarts who have proven themselves over the course like Ewan Murray who wins his 50th cap. And that is augmented by some new players who have just joined the group.

"We are looking at some exciting new players so it's looking good.

"We have another attack-minded player like me in Sean in the team and it's brilliant to have him on the other wing.

"He has proven himself for Glasgow and has fought to get himself into the Scotland squad and I am all for that. It's good to see an exciting talent like him in the team."

Defeat at Twickenham would mean three decades have passed without a Scotland triumph in London, but Visser is not the type to concern himself with events of the past.

He insists he will not be thinking about the miserable run of results which stretches all the way back to 1983 when he steps out to face a hostile home crowd.

"We are always optimistic as players, because you have to believe in yourself," he said. "We are going down there to win.

"England are a good team right now. History shows we have not won there much, but on the other hand, history has nothing to do with us.

"We are a team in our own capacity and we are going to go down there to try to win."

Visser also insists Greig Laidlaw is just the man to fill record-breaking scrum-half Mike Blair's boots for the Scots.

The Edinburgh man has been flitting between scrum-half and fly-half for the past couple of years and club-mate Visser has been impressed by his versatility.

That has also impressed Johnson, who announced on Tuesday the 27-year-old would take over from 85-time-capped Blair following his international retirement.

Visser said: "Greig is brilliant at scrum-half, that is obviously his position.

"He has slotted in at 10 for a while, and did a good job there.

"That shows the versatility and talent he has got as a player, and ability to perform at that position.

"But being back at nine, we are able to see his form, and he is really enjoying it, and I think we will probably see that in his game this weekend."

Johnson has made six alterations to the side which was humiliated at Pittodrie in November by Tonga, with another of his notable inclusions that of Johnnie Beattie.

The Montpellier number eight will pull on a Scotland jersey for the first time in 18 months, with the former Glasgow man having opted to quit Scotland in search of first-team action.

He found that in France's Top 14 set-up and Visser hailed his new international colleague's bravery in going abroad.

Visser said: "I think players doing well for their clubs will reflect well on the country. Him enjoying his rugby over there and recapturing his form is only good for Scotland."