Sutherland aiming to remain in the frame
SCOTLAND’S WIN over Italy has been a long time coming for Rory Sutherland but the prop hopes he will not have to wait another four years to savour his next triumph in a Dark Blue jersey.
The Edinburgh forward was given his international debut by Vern Cotter back in March 2016 against Ireland, winning two more caps as the Scots claimed back-to-back Test wins during their tour of Japan later that summer.
But that was it for the 27-yearold for the best part of three-anda-half years.
Struggles with form and fitness left him on the outside looking in until he finally convinced Gregor Townsend he was ready to return ahead of this year’s Six Nations.
The narrow losses to Ireland and England only increased the Hawick scrummager’s frustrations but he was at last able to snatch another taste of victory with the national team as he contributed to a straightforward 17-0 win over the Azzurri.
Now Sutherland hopes to tuck into another serving when Grand Slam-chasing France visit Murrayfield in two weeks’ time.
He said: “My last win in a Scotland jersey was four years ago in Japan, so this feels really good.
“I’m just grateful to be given the chance to be back involved. On a personal level, I’ve been really happy with my performances and I’ve just got to keep a bit of consistency in my game now and keep backing it up.
Rory Sutherland makes a break during this month’s Six Nations clash with England.
“I’m really pleased with the win and we’ll look forward to preparing for the France game. Hopefully, I get another opportunity in that starting jersey.
“When I was injured it was something that kept me going –
playing for Scotland again. That was the goal.
“Putting little targets in place to reach that final goal. I’ve had a couple of tough seasons, I’ve not played a lot of rugby but I feel the opportunities that I’ve been given I’ve taken them.”