Wilson admits missing tour was the right thing

Glasgow co-captain Ryan Wilson admits he now appreciates Gregor Townsend’s decision to leave him out of Scotland’s summer tour.

Townsend left out a number of key players for the trip to the Americas with next year’s World Cup in mind, and found some did not agree with his decision.

Wilson was among the dissenters but the 29-year-old soon discovered that missing out was not as frustrating as he first anticipated.

The back-row forward said: “It’s all right when you are on holiday sat on the beach with the kids.

“To be honest I didn’t watch too much of the games live. I just went away with the family and got out of rugby for a bit and dreaded pre-season, but it’s been a good pre-season.

“When I was first told I wasn’t going on tour I pushed back a bit and said I didn’t realise why I wasn’t going.

“It took a week to process and then it’s been good for me. It’s been good to get my body in shape. I needed it.

“It’s the first pre-season I have had in a while. It’s been tough but good.

“I’m one of those players that hates to miss out and just wants to play every game, but you have got to realise what you are putting your body through, and mentally you have got to have a little bit of time off here and there.”

Wilson tried to switch off from rugby but admitted he found it difficult to put Warriors’ Guinness PRO14 semi-final defeat – which saw Scarlets end what had promised to be a successful campaign under Dave Rennie – out of his mind.

“With three kids you don’t get much time to think about anything else,” said Wilson, who is set to feature in tomorrow’s friendly against Northampton.

“It was probably harder work going away with three kids on holiday than coming into training.

“Listen, when we get away from rugby, you have got to try and switch off for a bit because it will drive you crazy.

“But that match against Scarlets is always ticking over in the back of your mind, thinking what could you have done better and you wish you can make things you didn’t do so well right.

“I will have to wait until Friday to get back on the pitch. You are only as good as your last game, so not very good at the moment.”

Glasgow’s Ryan Wilson is expected to feature against Northampton.