Murchie is full of forward thinking

PETER MURCHIE has been an unsung hero in the Glasgow Warriors armoury but, having grasped the opportunity to string games together with Stuart Hogg injured, he is now focused on leading the team into the knockout stages of Europe.

The 29-year-old has been something of a slow burn since he joined Glasgow from London Welsh in 2009, but after emerging to win three Scotland caps in 2013 he has become one of the most consistent performers under coach Gregor Townsend. Sound under the high ball, deceptively quick and evasive, he is developing the confidence to take teams on and provide Glasgow with another attacking threat.

With Hogg still working his way back, Murchie (right) has a chance to push into Vern Cotter’s thinking for the Six Nations No 15 jersey, but the player is canny enough to know that it will be his deeds in the next two weeks of Champions Cup action against Montpellier and Bath rather than words that will earn that opportunity. He said: ‘I guess coaches see how you perform in big games and how you go close to Test matches to judge you, so the Euro games provide that.

‘But you can’t think too far ahead, about what they might do if you have a good game. You’ve just got to concentrate on playing well, getting a win and hope you get in the squad.

‘I try to focus on what I need to do to play well, and to help the team win. I’m motivated enough for us to play well, win and still be in Europe.

That’s the way I deal with it and obviously there are these things [Scotland selection and league campaign].

‘But I don’t think it’s pressure; that’s exciting.’