Gordon Ross backs Pellegrini to star in Scotland's pool

In November 2001 fly half Gordon Ross kicked Scotland to a 43-20 Autumn International Series win over Tonga by landing a 23-point haul on his international debut.

This prolific first outing earned the former Edinburgh, Leeds, Saracens and London Welsh no.10 a crack at the 2003 World Cup in Australia and he went on to win 25 caps for his country.

Ross is now part of Championship club Coventry’s coaching team, but from the moment he arrived at the club’s recent fundraising day for local charity ‘Rally for Hallie’ with his young son wearing a replica Scotland shirt there was no mistaking where his international loyalties still lie.

How ironic therefore that one of his current charges Pat Pellegrini has just earned a World Cup call-up from Tonga as an injury replacement for Otumaka Mausia and that the 23-year-old is not only a goal-kicking fly half but also goes into Pool B from where he hopes to put the boot into Scotland’s hopes.

None of this has slipped the attention of the likeable 45-year-old who coached at Worcester and Dragons prior to joining the ambitious Butts Park Arena club which, following the demise of Wasps and Worcester, is now the most senior club in England’s huge West Midlands conurbation.

Ross raises an eyebrow when asked about Pellegrini appearing against Scotland before going on to offer a glowing assessment of Coventry’s no.10.

“Pat’s all-round game has improved massively,” he said.

“He’s a big running threat but also distributes really well and as we recently saw against one of the best teams in Europe (Saracens) he has a solid kicking game too.

“The way he managed the last 20 minutes on a very hot day when everyone was getting tired was excellent. He found ways to get us great field positions then to finish the deal.”

Ross said that he has been very taken by Pellegrini’s work ethic and desire to become a better player since joining the blue-and-whites on trial from National Three Sevenoaks prior to the start of last season.

“I’ve been really impressed not just with his skill-set on the field but also by his attitude off it,” he said.

“His analysis work is excellent and he has got a lot better at preparing for training. Pat has done exceptionally well over the last 18 months, worked hard at his game especially in those areas where he needed to improve.

“Most days he is one of the last to leave the training field and he spends a lot of time looking at opponents we are about to play as well as at his own game.

“He’s a good lad and a good team member who we are fortunate to have and he definitely deserves this opportunity.”

Pellegrini’s stellar 2022/23 season saw him accumulate 153 points in 18 Coventry appearances. His nine tries included a brilliant hat-trick during his club’s 47-7 win over Doncaster in December.

He began his club’s 2023/24 campaign by scoring a try and kicking four conversions in their 24-14 opening day Premiership Rugby Cup defeat of Saracens.

The Sydney-born back who also has English and Italian ancestry said he was thrilled to receive a call-up after narrowly missing selection for Tonga’s original squad.

“I was stoked to get the call,” he said. “I was on the standby list but had no idea that anything had happened prior to then.

“When I didn’t make the original squad I was told by head coach Toutai Kefu to be ready as you never know what could happen and unfortunately there has now been an injury so I fly out to Paris to join the squad soon after they play Ireland.”

Pellegrini will rub shoulders with global rugby superstars including former All Blacks Vaea Fifita, Charles Piutau, Malakai Fekitoa and George Moala who following legislative changes are now permitted to play international rugby for a second country.