One cap Craig set to better dad

Jim Craig and his son James have grown used to being labelled one-cap wonders.

That could all change tomorrow if James, as expected, makes an appearance from the Scotland bench against Wales at Murrayfield. The Scots used all seven substitutes in the 16-6 defeat by France in Paris 13 days ago and training this week has been focused on the use of 22 players.

'Now I'll be the record-holder in the Craig home,' joked 23-year-old Glasgow Caledonian winger James. Dad Jim, Celtic's right back in the 1967 team who lifted soccer's European Cup, won his only cap against Wales in 1968. Flu denied him a second after he had been picked to face the Republic of Ireland.

His son seemed destined for lifetime membership of that one-cap wonder club after a dreadful start to his international rugby career. He received one pass on his debut against Australia in 1997.

He made about two yards before slipping. He would have had the leather in his hands more frequently had he not dropped every high ball that came his way. The winger also missed three tackles leading to three of the five Australian tries in a thumping 37-8 defeat.

The wonder in James's case has been not so much that he has not had a second cap but that he even received a first. That appears about to change, as will his status in the Craig household. 'We used to joke a lot about both being one cap wonders. More seriously, it has been a long, long struggle,' says James.

That struggle involved overcoming the crushing disappointment of his display, a torn hamstring the following week, and further injuries to knees, back and fingers. Most of all, he has had to persuade the sceptics. The pacy Craig is a player who opens mouths and eyes. The flash of brilliance can be followed by a splash of badness. He has always contrived to thrill spectators and enrage coaches.

Which is why Ian McGeechan dwelled more on the prosaic yesterday: 'James offers us something a little bit different but there is starting to be a consistency in his game which is very important.' Duncan Hodge starts as stand off, having taking on the role in Paris when Gregor Townsend suffered his knee injury. Hodge may also continue as goal-kicker ahead of Kenny Logan. Wales full back Stephen Jones has until this morning to prove his fitness. He has been unable to train because of a muscle spasm in his lower back. Cardiff's Rhys Williams, due to play in the A international in Edinburgh tonight, is on stand-by.