I’M HELL DENT ON GLORY
RUGBY SIX NATIONS CRUNCH Dave wants England scalp to seal a stunning month
will happen will happen. Then for me to get a run of games together, get back playing for Scotland and sign a long-term deal with a huge club like Leicester was great.
“A win on Saturday? That would definitely add to it. That would be amazing. It would be nice to get the bragging rights over the boys.”
The elation emanating from the former Edinburgh player was easily detected as he spoke of his return to the fold at home against Les Bleus. Now he hopes to have more cause for celebration on Saturday.
He said: “It’s an awesome feeling being back on the field for Scotland. I don’t think I’ve ever taken it for granted but when you’re younger it just feels like something that’s meant to happen and you don’t really think about it.
“But after being away for so long my first game back being against France at Murrayfield made it all the more special. It was really enjoyable and a great weekend, especially because we won as well.
“We came out and fixed a few things against France, which was brilliant, but we know we’ve still got another gear to get up to compete and beat the second-best team in the world.”
England have been effective if not inspired in their two matches against Italy and Wales but Denton is adamant there’s much more to come from a side Scotland haven’t beaten for a decade.
He said: “They’re a better team than how they’ve been playing. We all know after watching them over the last 12 months that they’re a force to be reckoned with.
“We’re going to have to be at our best. We have the players in the room, there’s no doubt.”
Denton is one of the few Scots in the squad with any happy memories of facing the English as his first taste was a man-of-thematch display in 2012 – the first start for his country.
He said: “It was one of my favourite moments on a pitch. My first cap was a World Cup warm-up off the bench but that game against England felt like a first cap.
“It was in the Six Nations and I look back on it with fond memories. It would have been better if we’d won and we had a great opportunity to do that but I enjoyed the game.”
● Edinburgh are returning to BT Murrayfield for the rest of the season, the club have confirmed.
The Gunners, who had switched to Myreside, have now decided moving venues was having a negative impact on fans and Richard Cockerill’s first team.