Jamie Ritchie is concentrating on a return to the Scotland fold on Monday after ending a torturous eight months of damage issues with a powerful Glasgow Warriors debut in Treviso.
The 30-year-old signed from Perpignan in the summertime after only one 12 months in France, however the former Edinburgh stalwart was compelled to attend for his first minutes as he recovered from ankle and Achilles tendon points.
Named on the blindside flank for Saturday’s journey to Benetton, Ritchie produced a sometimes industrious and bodily 80-minute show as Warriors recovered from 17 factors right down to win 24-20 due to a late Jare Oguntibeju strive.
It was good timing for the 63-times-capped former Scotland captain to showcase his return to kind and health, with Gregor Townsend set to make his postponed squad announcement for the Nations Championship on Monday.
‘I’m lengthy sufficient within the tooth now to know that every one you are able to do is management the way you play and the way you pitch up,’ Ritchie stated.
‘Clearly, I’m fairly skilled internationally now, so Gregor is aware of what he’ll get from me if he decides to choose me. However my job is play and practice as greatest I can and, if given the chance, then clearly I might like to be again concerned.’
Jamie Ritchie needed to be affected person as he waited to make his debut after arriving from Perpignan
Ought to Ritchie return to the Scotland combine, there can be no tender touchdown; the All Blacks are first up in Edinburgh this autumn, earlier than Australia and Japan additionally go to.
Ritchie was as soon as a nailed-on starter within the Scotland again row, however the emergence of the likes of Gregor Brown, Liam McConnell and Freddie Douglas so as to add to a pool already that includes Rory Darge, Matt Fagerson, Jack Dempsey, Magnus Bradbury and Josh Bayliss has made competitors for locations fierce.
‘I feel there was most likely a time the place you’d have been fairly assured of getting within the group,’ Ritchie mirrored.
‘However now, it’s a kind of ones the place we’re all superb at various things and typically it’s horses for programs and also you is perhaps enjoying very well however you won’t get in.
‘We’re all actually shut, all of us assist one another, however the competitors within the again row for Scotland is up there. So like I say, it’s the identical with choice for the squad itself, all you are able to do is management the way you carry out, the way you play and play to your personal strengths.’
Whereas Ritchie is already deeply conversant in lots of his new club-mates from Scotland responsibility, the sight of him in a Glasgow shirt can have elicited a double-take from many Scottish rugby followers.
The flanker performed for Edinburgh for 11 years and is a former captain of Glasgow’s 1872 Cup rivals, and he admitted he’s nonetheless getting used to his new environment.
Ritchie takes the battle to Benetton in Glasgow’s spectacular come-from-behind victory
‘I feel for the primary wee whereas, getting the equipment on, it took me a minute,’ Ritchie stated. ‘It felt slightly bit unusual, however the boys have been tremendous welcoming.
‘I’m simply actually excited. I’ve watched Glasgow for a very long time. I practically performed for Glasgow after I first began enjoying professional rugby so it’s one thing that’s possibly been coming for some time.
‘I’m delighted it’s occurred now and simply actually excited to get caught in and hopefully maintain bettering.’
Forward of the journey to Treviso, the place Glasgow had gained simply certainly one of their earlier six visits and had been coming off back-to-back defeats, Warriors assault coach Nigel Carolan stated the time had come to ‘unleash’ Ritchie.
The flanker was busy on the breakdown, laborious within the deal with, a roaming risk within the free and stable beneath the excessive ball as he made a robust begin in Glasgow colors on the Stadio Monigo.
Requested how he felt the debut went, he stated: ‘Yeah, good. My physique took a wee bit longer to return again than I possibly would have hoped however I’m simply delighted to be again on the market.
‘I most likely wasn’t anticipating to get by way of 80 minutes however I’m glad I did and felt fairly good.
‘Slightly bit dusty, slightly bit rusty by way of a few of my touches and the way I’m shifting, however I’m feeling good and I simply need to maintain enjoying now.’
