ALLY DICKINSON was finally due to get a Six Nations start at Murrayfield today, gaining his 12th cap for Scotland against Grand Slam-chasing Ireland.
But if Dickinson has had to be patient before graduating off the bench –no fewer than nine of his international appearances have been from there – scrapping for a place is all part of the territory so far as the ex-Heriot's prop, now with Gloucester
, is concerned.
"It's all good having to work for my place and even at the club it's a similar story. It keeps me on my toes," said Dickinson.
"When I go back to Gloucester I'll have another battle because of the competition."
The shoulder injury which has ruled Allan Jacobsen out for the season has given Dickinson the chance to start successive Scotland games for the first time and the encouraging thing is that, in comparison to when he filled in for Euan Murray in France recently, he'll be on his more natural loose head side of the front row.
In layman's terms this means that Dickinson will only have one shoulder in the scrum making it – in theory – easier and quicker to get into the loose play. That's the domain in which Dickinson made his name coming through the age-group ranks as well as during his 44 Celtic League appearances with Edinburgh, which yielded a remarkable seven tries for a prop.
"I like scrummaging but I also enjoy stretching my legs.
"It's the way I play and I'll always be my own person while trying to meet the needs of the team.
"Maybe playing on the loose head side is more technically demanding but it does afford more scope for running about and, if I can add to the tries I scored for Edinburgh in Scotland colours, nobody will be more delighted than me."
Today's Murrayfield opponents have certainly been on the receiving end of Dickinson touchdowns at domestic level including a brace in a 41-33 triumph over Leinster in 2005 while, on another occasion, he crossed the Munster line.
Despite such credentials he takes nothing for granted.
"Ireland are the form team with a good set-piece, guaranteed to come after us.
"As for my opposite number I've played against John Hayes at club level. He is very experienced and a big man.
"For me this is more of an opportunity. Tight head prop was always going to be a massive struggle and it was. Gloucester signed me from Edinburgh as a loose head where I'm definitely more comfortable
"It makes me a little bit more available around the park which is what I like to do.
"Because we won against Italy expectations are slightly higher to perform not just from the fans but from ourselves. Last time our doggedness not to lose gave us encouragement.
"We had been working hard and sometimes you don't get the reward. Everyone was getting pretty annoyed so to get a win was really pleasing.
"I take my rugby very seriously and, if the team don't win, it is a real kick in the backside. I do take it seriously, pride myself on my work rate and hate to lose.
"Besides, Allan (Jacobsen] was probably the in-form prop in the championship. I owe it to him to go out and perform," says the 25-year-old.
Meanwhile, Dickinson is backing his Gloucester back row colleague Ally Strokosch to consolidate his Scotland success which includes winning on both his home Six Nations appearances so far, against England last year and Italy two weeks ago.
"What you see with Stroker is what you get – a real 100 per center.
"We've been playing together all the way through with Scotland starting at under-17 level and during that time I've hardly ever heard him moan.
"Stroker just gets on with things and, if he does speak, it is always worth listening to."
The full article contains 660 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
