Tim Visser concentrating on his own expectations before Scotland debut

Published on 14/06/2012 02:24

Tim Visser insists he is not feeling any pressure ahead of his long-awaited Scotland debut this weekend – other than the expectations he has placed on himself.

All eyes will be on Dutch-born Visser to see if he can reproduce his try-scoring exploits with Edinburgh on the international stage after this week qualifying for Scotland on the grounds of three years’ residency.

Visser knows the spotlight will be on him, but he is keen to take it one step at a time. “I know there is pressure but I don’t really feel it,” he said. “I have my own expectations. I want to try to have a consistent game, not make too many mistakes and make sure that I get into the game.

“I want to get my first cap and look back at it and say that I played well. In terms of where I want to be, I have a long-term view but, for my first cap, merely playing as well as I can is all I can ask.”

Having had to wait for his chance, Visser is now champing at the bit to finally be able to pull on the Scotland jersey. “It feels really good. It has been such a long time, so to finally make it a reality is brilliant and I am very proud,” said Visser, who joined Edinburgh in May 2009 after previously playing for Newcastle and Northampton in England.

“I can’t wait to play. I am proud and honoured to be able to represent a country like Scotland.”

Looking ahead to Saturday’s clash at Churchill Park in Lautoka, Visser knows he is likely to come up against Fiji’s latest wing talents Waisea Nayacalevu and Watisoni Votu, who are both 6ft 5ins tall and weigh in at a little under 16 stone. However, he says he would rather be facing bigger opponents than smaller.

“I prefer to defend against bigger wingers instead of the small, nippy ones,” he said, “so that is a bonus. I have Nick De Luca inside me, who I have defended with for a long time, and anything I can not defend he normally makes up for.”

He added: “Fiji are going to try to play from everywhere. They are a free-flowing team so they are going to try to attack. If you have ever seen them play sevens, you will pretty well know what is going to happen.”