Southwell's ambition received the support of the former England cricket coach Peter Moores, who previously coached him at Sussex. This support was to the dismay of Frank Hadden who had previously voiced his concern over Southwell's cricketing ambitions ahead of the rugby internationals against Barbarians and the two-match Test tour of South Africa in 2006. Hadden had wanted the Scottish Rugby Squad to rest ahead of the showpiece games and was concerned that Southwell, who took three wickets for Heriot's and hit the winning runs against Edinburgh Accies, decided to play in the Masterton Trophy instead.
Southwell's aspirations were supported by former England cricket coach Peter Moores, who had previously mentored him at Sussex. This backing was met with disappointment from Frank Hadden, who had earlier expressed his reservations about Southwell's ambitions in rugby prior to the high-profile international matches against Barbarians and the two-match Test tour of South Africa in 2006.