In from the cold, Gilchrist warms to the job ahead
FROM Scotland captain to Scotland outcast, Grant Gilchrist’s international career has been defying all predictions for almost five years now.
Just when the Edinburgh player’s star has looked to be on the rise, a combination of injury and loss of form has thrust him back down to earth.
When he returns to the starting XV against Australia tomorrow, it might be tempting to ask where the next calamity is coming from.
But the lock forward is convinced the Wallabies clash can signal the start of a consistent run in Gregor Townsend’s side rather than another false dawn.
‘It can be frustrating when you’re not playing as well as you know you can do or have in the past,’ said Gilchrist. ‘Also, when you’re injured, you know what it feels like not to play and not to be able to train and get better, which is equally frustrating.
‘To be honest, over the last two seasons I’ve probably just gradually been getting back to my best and I think I’m now playing as good rugby as I’ve ever played regardless of injuries or anything else.
‘I take confidence from that and go out and play hard against Australia. I’ll concentrate on the big task at hand and make sure my performance is up there.’
First capped by Scott Johnson against France in Paris in 2013, Gilchrist looked destined to take the second row by storm.
The following year he was promoted to captain against Argentina by Vern Cotter — only to be cruelly sidelined for a year with a broken arm. When he returned to play for Scotland in the 2015 World Cup, his career looked to be on the up again.
But another arm injury, followed by a disastrous loss of form, meant he didn’t play for his country for another 14 months while a mooted big-money move to Toulon failed to materialise.
He wasn’t selected for the 2017 Six Nations but was drafted in as a replacement for the injured Richie Gray in the final game against Italy.
When Gregor Townsend took over in the summer he left Gilchrist out for his first squad to play against Italy, Australia and Fiji. But the 27-year-old never gave up hope and now his optimism has been rewarded after a promising start to the season with Edinburgh.
He said: ‘Gregor said he always liked me as a player and I would be in his thoughts if I got back into form. They weren’t snubbing me, they just said I had to make some improvements in my game.
‘They told me I had to have a good pre-season and start playing well for Edinburgh, and then they would be looking at me. It made it easier, knowing what I had to concentrate on.
‘I wanted to make sure I was doing everything possible day in, day out to make sure I was performing well for Edinburgh.
‘That’s how you get here with Scotland. It’s not looking at the end goal. It’s about looking at the process and that’s what I’ve tried to do over the last couple of years.’
It has still been a surprise to see him take the place of Edinburgh team-mate Ben Toolis who played so well against the All Blacks last weekend but who now drops to the bench.
Gilchrist, whose 18th cap will see him link up with Jonny Gray, admits this is his chance to show Townsend he’s firing on all cylinders again.
‘There is a lot of competition across the board, a lot of second rows, so it’s a real challenge for me. You have to perform consistently well for a long time and hopefully take your chances when they come along to be part of the Scotland squad. I’m delighted I’m getting my chance and I intend to take it.’
Gilchrist attributes much of his improved form to playing in a winning Edinburgh side under Richard Cockerill. They’ve won five of their first eight league games and play the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein tonight.
‘Obviously, I didn’t make the Scotland tour, but it was an opportunity to get myself as fit as I’ve ever been in pre-season with Edinburgh. Richard came in over the summer and he is a top-class coach,’ he added.
‘He’s a forwards coach so there’s a lot to learn from him. In general, the way we’ve been playing has allowed me to develop a lot more. In every game, I feel I have played better.
‘There’s also a more positive vibe around Edinburgh and winning does that. Everyone hates coming in on a Monday morning when you’ve lost.
‘When you’ve put everything into it but still come out on the losing side there is a lot of soul searching. We had a lot of that last year which dampens things down whereas we have been winning much more this season.
‘We are playing positively, which means that as an individual you play more positively and express yourself more.
‘I’m finding Edinburgh a great place to play my rugby and it’s getting the best out of me individually as well. Now, because of that, I’ve got this chance to get back with Scotland.’