No pressure on Ross Rennie as he prepares to return

By DAVID FERGUSON
Published on 22/03/2013 00:26

THE MERE presence on the Murrayfield pitch tonight of Scotland flanker Ross Rennie should boost Edinburgh’s efforts to finish the season strongly but that pales against the relief that it will bring the 26-year-old.

In the past six years, a succession of injuries have prevented him building on a promising start with Edinburgh and Scotland.

After nearly two years on the sidelines with a serious knee injury, he was selected by Scotland to face New Zealand but dislocated his shoulder after 20 minutes.

“If I’d needed an operation I’d have been out for the season but they decided I didn’t need that and it’s now feeling strong and stable,” said Rennie.

The flanker should still have many years in front of him But he added: “I don’t look too far ahead. I’ve learned that.

“It does seem a long time ago that I got injured but, now that I’m back, it’s passed quickly and I’m just looking forward to it.

“I just set little goals for myself and try to achieve them. The first goal is playing for Edinburgh.

“Of course, you dream about what you’d love to do in the future but I have learned that all you can do is control the controllables, so what I can control is getting my shoulder as good as it can be. I’ve taken the opportunity of the last few months to get fit and strong, rather than worry about the games that are on all the time.”

Rennie returns at a difficult time for his club, their last win in December a distant memory, the coaching team sacked and facing five games with little to play for in the bottom three of the RaboDirect PRO12.

But Rennie added: “I think there is still a lot to play for because everyone wants to put a good show on and is desperate for a win. It makes life so much better when you’re winning and we’ve had a tough spell. Personally, I’m just looking forward to getting back on the pitch and playing. This is why you do all the training. Ulster are a good side, at the top of the league, but who have had a couple of dodgy games lately, so it’s going to be tough.”