John was removed from the Scotland U21 squad and brought into the senior squad as cover for injury worry, Ally Hogg, and the Glasgow forward confessed to having mixed emotions about his call-up as he said: "It was a bit of a surprise.
"I was on my way to the airport before flying to France for the U21 World Cup when I got the phone call.
"Obviously I'm delighted to be getting this opportunity, but it is disappointing I'll miss the under-21 game against Australia and probably the England match as well.
National team coach Frank Hadden said: "Obviously it was an extremely difficult decision but it was the one we felt we had to make given Hogg's situation.
"He has made progress and if he keeps making the progress he has made he will make the first Test, but there is always a chance that there will be a setback along the way and we couldn't risk that happening.
"But I'm delighted John Beattie is coming with us because this is a really huge developmental opportunity for him.
"He has got an outside chance of making the World Cup in 2007 so this is the start of him getting used to the players alongside him.
"He will stay until after the first Test and then, if everything is all clear at that point, he may join the U21s."