venue: Murrayfield, Edinburgh date: Saturday, February 24th kick off: 16:45 GMT |
coverage: Watch live from 16:00 GMT on BBC One, iPlayer and online. Commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live. Live text on his website and app on BBC Sport |
If everything had gone to plan, Kyle Steyn would have played for Scotland against France. Instead, he was helping his wife with a long labor and screaming at the TV.
Fast forward two weeks and his newborn daughter Arabella Rose will be watching from the stands as Stein tries to put in an eye-catching performance for Gregor Townsend's side in the Calcutta Cup clash with England.
Hours before kick-off against Les Bleus, the winger was left out of the squad as family matters took priority and Harry Patterson parachuted in to make an impressive debut. A painful and controversial loss.
He got some much-needed sleep and says his mother's arrival from South Africa was “a bit of magic” in that regard. The 30-year-old is desperate to go and will be desperate for selection for Saturday's match against England.
“My wife started having contractions at 4 p.m. on Friday, and I was a little hopeful that the baby might survive even if it was born in the middle of the night,” Stein said of the drama.
“But that didn't happen and Harry and Kyle should be congratulated.” [Rowe] – Both changed positions last minute. Harry had a great debut and Kyle played really well on the wing.
“I was busy on the couch, trying really hard to watch, but every five minutes or so my attention went elsewhere and I was catching bits and pieces.
“I was like every other Scotsman screaming, 'This is a try.' I was just devastated for the boys. I looked at their faces and saw how hurt they were. I understood. I felt like I was able to escape.”
Stein's first child, Arabella Rose, was finally born two days after the France game and is already preparing her Scotland kit to watch her father play for the first time.
“She was just born on Monday around 11:20 a.m. It ended up being a C-section for my wife, but she was an absolute champion until the end,” Stein said.
“I've been going back and forth between home and camping and one of the big reasons is my wife. She's been amazing over the last few weeks. She fully supported me going to Spain and Cardiff. By that stage, she was past her due date and was on the brink.
“They'll be here at the weekend. My mother's already gone. The Scottish rugby team gave me a little jersey with 'Dad' written on the back. So I'm going to play. It would be great to have them there.”
Steyn, who has 16 caps, is preparing for a formidable challenge against an England team who are “finding their gear” under head coach Steve Borthwick.
England go into Saturday's match at Murrayfield with two wins and two losses in the Six Nations after wins over Italy and Wales. After defeating Wales, Scotland lost to France in a controversial second round.
“They're a really good team with a lot of threats, so it's a big challenge for us,” Stein added.
“They come from the World Cup and just got to the semi-finals and seem to be finding their gear under a new manager.
“It's a great match. I've never played the Calcutta Cup at home so I'm looking forward to it. It's a great challenge and we're looking forward to it.”