Alasdair Dickinson has admitted his surprise at his quick recall to the Scotland side having missed all the autumn internationals
Gloucester prop surprised at inclusion in Scotland sqaud
Alasdair Dickinson has admitted his surprise at his quick recall to the Scotland side - with the Gloucester forward having missed all the autumn internationals.
The 26-year-old has been named in the side to play France in the RBS Six Nations opener at the weekend, replacing Edinburgh's Allan Jacobsen.
Jacobsen was an ever-present for the Scottish side in the autumn and was a big performer in the victories against Fiji and Australia.
But the defeat to Argentina in their last Test outing sparked head coach Andy Robinson into making six changes for their showdown with France at Murrayfield.
Dickinson, now fully recovered from a shoulder injury, is thrilled to be back in the side and is relishing returning to action for Scotland.
He said: "I'm absolutely delighted. I didn't expect it to come so quickly.
"The last couple of months have been pretty difficult injury-wise and it's just good to get the crack. I'll go out there and give it my all."
Challenge
"I think competition is good," said the prop, who will earn his 14th cap this weekend.
"Good players will rise to the challenge and that's what you need in such a high-intensity game. I'm just looking forward to the challenge."
Despite their encouraging form in the autumn Tests, Scotland remain outsiders for the Six Nations with bookmakers making them second favourites for the wooden spoon.
However, Dickinson admits that confidence is high in the camp and is adamant they can win against France.
He added: "There's no change there - they always write us off.
"It doesn't bother us. There's confidence in the camp and we know we're good enough to achieve something special."
