Hugh Blake played for Otago Razorbacks in the 2014 ITM Cup in New Zealand © Getty Images

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Hugh Blake has urged fans to let him prove his worth after the furore over his call-up into Scotland's Six Nations squad. The Edinburgh back-rower is yet to play for the capital club after arriving from his native New Zealand in December, but that didn't stop Scotland coach Vern Cotter, himself a New Zealander, including him in the Six Nations squad. Scotland open their 2015 campaign against France in Paris on February 7.

Blake, 22, is eligible to play for Scotland through his Glasgow-born grandparents, but his selection has revived the debate about the vexed question of 'Kilted Kiwis'. His inclusion was especially contentious as Cotter left out former Scotland captain Kelly Brown and in-form flanker John Barclay, the coach insisting the back-rower offers something Scotland don't already possess.

"Yeah, my call up has come as a surprise," Blake told Radio Clyde on Tuesday. "I've come over at such a young age with ambitions to eventually play for Scotland. It's all happened earlier than expected but I'm honoured and psyched to be a part of it.

"My message to people would be to ask them to be open-minded. I'm new. I didn't select the team. I'm just going to be trying my best over the next few days to try to eventually play for Scotland. Vern Cotter has done his research and I'm just going to do my best for the fans and for Scotland rugby. I just want people to give me a chance."

Blake has played representative rugby for New Zealand, having starred for the Junior All Blacks at the recent Under-20 World Cup in South Africa, but he is adamant he has no divided loyalties.

"There's always been Scotland rugby on in our house," he said. "My uncle would get up during the summer to watch the Six Nations. As I grew up playing rugby in New Zealand, I always knew I had the option of playing for Scotland. I just decided to give it a good crack, hence why I have come over here at such a young age.

"I played for the New Zealand Colts at the World Cup, but I knew that would be a good chance for me to prove myself to the guys from Scotland. And that's where I got picked up."