Scott: I’m stronger after operation

Scotland centre Matt Scott believes he will approach the World Cup a stronger player than before his latest shoulder surgery.

Scott returned to full training as Vern Cotter’s squad reconvened following a week away from their preseason preparations.

The 24-year-old has not played since Scotland’s RBS 6 Nations defeat by Ireland on March 21 and underwent an operation to repair damage to his left shoulder.

“I’m feeling really good and delighted to be back full training,” he said.

“I got the all clear just over a week ago and we had an off-week, so I was chomping at the bit to get back training with the guys.”

Scott had surgery last summer after dislocating the shoulder and missed Scotland’s November tests, but one of anchors inserted into the shoulder was loose, with a bone fragment causing him problems and inflaming a ligament.

This meant he feared for his World Cup hopes, but he anticipates being back to his best when Scotland open their campaign against Japan on September 23.

“You don’t need any extra motivation,” he said. “The World Cup is something I have dreamed of playing in for most of my life, but when you have a little bit of a scare and you know you are not going to have ideal preparation, and you have selection issues as well, there are guys playing really well in my position. So if I was to make the final squad I would be really chuffed because it has been a tough few months.”

Scott’s return to fitness is a major boost to Cotter given the injury problems facing other centres in his pool.

Duncan Taylor is a major doubt after having shoulder surgery, while Mark Bennett is also battling to return from the same problem and Alex Dunbar is continuing his rehabilitation following a serious knee injury.

Matt Scott has returned from injury and is expecting to make an impact in Scotland’s World Cup campaign.