Hugo Southwell is looking forward to going head-to-head in a selection battle with Scotland's record points-scorer Chris Paterson at both club and international level next season.

With Paterson back at Edinburgh after a short sabbatical in Gloucester last season, Southwell knows he is going to have to be at the top of his game if he is to retain his place in the team, let alone add to his 42 caps.

Paterson has previously played on the wing, so both players can be accommodated in the side, but increased competition for places out wide makes it likely the two will have to battle it out for the No. 15 shirt.

Southwell said: "I just see it as the sort of challenge you have to face head-on if you want to play rugby at the top level. Yes, it is going to be tough on both of us, but it is an exciting challenge - and it can only help Edinburgh and Scotland to have Chris back up here playing well.

"I'm pretty confident that if I am playing at the best of my ability, I will get in the team. You have to have that sort of self-belief."

Southwell is also upbeat about Scotland's prospects for the upcoming autumn international series, when New Zealand, South Africa and Canada will provide the opposition.

He said: "Last season was tough, but there was a few highlights - like winning the Calcutta Cup in February and then winning in Argentina during the summer.

"We have to make sure that we play in all three autumn internationals like we did in the second Test in Argentina."