Gregor Townsend has expressed his delight after Saracens flyhalf Fergus Burke pledged his international future to Scotland instead of England.
Burke has been named in Scotland's initial 37-man squad for this year's Six Nations, which begins against Italy at Murrayfield on Saturday 1 February.
Born in New Zealand and an Under-20 international with the All Blacks, Burke qualifies to play for Scotland through his grandfather from Glasgow.
He also qualifies for England through his mother and is understood to have been under serious consideration for a call-up to Steve Borthwick's squad earlier this week.
But, after following the player for more than a year, Townsend believes it is a huge boost that Scotland have acquired the 25-year-old fly-half.
Burke has been a revelation since joining Sarries last summer from Crusaders, and Townsend believes he can make an immediate impact for Scotland.
Fergus Burke (centre) has made a positive impression since joining Saracens last year.
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend was optimistic after naming Fergus Burke in his squad.
Jonny Gray has also boosted the Scots with his return, with the towering lock in form once again.
“He's been on the radar for a while,” the Scotland manager said. 'I spoke to Fergus before he signed for Saracens.
'You'd probably have to ask him when he made the decision. I think he really had to make that decision in the last few days.
“I knew he was close to our team previously, but he was only offered a spot on our team earlier this week.”
'When I asked him on Monday if he would commit to Scotland, he said yes. He really didn't need to be asked twice or “I'll get back to you tomorrow.” He said it would be a privilege.
'We have known about his Scottish heritage for two or three years. He missed a year of rugby with the Crusaders before leaving for Saracens.
'So we've kept in touch. He was under consideration in November, but we didn't feel his play at that time would add him to our team. He's playing better and better the more he plays.
“There is a vacancy on our team with Adam (Hastings) also injured. So we felt it was the right time for him. He is someone who really understands the game from an offensive perspective.
“He is playing rugby regularly in a top team with Saracens.” He is a very good defender and can also play as a winger.
“We saw it with Tom Jordan in November, having that flexibility to play on the wing was an advantage for us. And obviously I can increase the options for the bench if that happens.”
Townsend has also been boosted by the return of Jonny Gray, the experienced lock who will be looking to win his first cap in two years.
Gray has been plagued by injury problems over the past two years and missed the autumn campaign as he regained full fitness.
He picked up a knock for the Bordeaux club last month but Townsend hopes he will be firmly back in the frame by the time the Six Nations rolls around.
“It's great to have Jonny back, his goal is to play this week,” Townsend said. “He needs to be fully fit to train and get into our group. Now he is back fully fit.
“Whether he plays this weekend for Bordeaux or next week, he will be able to train next week.
“So yeah, it's been an unfortunate time for him because of the injury. Obviously he rested in the November period, played a couple of games and then injured another part of his body.
“Which means he has work to do right before the game against Italy. But he played very well until November. He was in excellent shape.
“There was a reason why Bordeaux wanted to rest him and it was because he had played a lot of games for Bordeaux, which is the leading team in France at the moment.
“So yeah, having his experience, his skill and his personality back in the group is something we're looking forward to seeing again.”
Sione Tuipulotu will continue as Scotland captain after leading the team during the autumn, but Glasgow Warriors captain Kyle Steyn has not been included after suffering a knee injury in the recent victory over Racing 92 in the Cup. Champions.
But Townsend is optimistic Steyn could still play some role, saying: “Yes, Kyle will be with us on Sunday.”
“He is not in the team because he cannot train for the next two weeks. But he will be in our group. We will know more next week about what that knee will be like.
“It won't be available for Italy but if it is considered again, perhaps Ireland or England would probably be the more realistic approach.”
But a lot will depend on how the situation calms down in the coming days. It's really disappointing for Kyle and us because he was in great shape.
“He obviously missed out in November but has returned to brilliant form in recent weeks and we hope he still has a big role to play in the Six Nations.”