Edinburgh forward Stuart McInally stands out on his Scotland A debut

"It wasn't a night for individuals," declared Scrivener before the man, who also serves as Edinburgh's defence guru, capitulated by adding: "but I thought Stuart McInally did very well."

So, the secret is out. Edinburgh and Scottish rugby have another star on the horizon in the 20-year-old former Watsonian back row who wasn't averse to dishing out plaudits himself.

Looking back on that debut at Galashiels for the shadow Test side last week, McInally highlighted one of the more positive aspects as playing alongside the second row who led Scotland to their series triumph in Argentina over the summer as he fights his way back from long term injury - Al Kellock.

"After playing through the age grade set ups (he captained Scotland at under-17, 18 and 20) the A side was my next target and it was an experience all the better for meeting a great leader like Al Kellock," said McInally.

"You can tell straightaway that Al has led Scotland because of the respect he commands.

"With him at the core of our side we knew we weren't going to go far wrong."

Role models are something McInally certainly isn't short of and so far as Edinburgh are concerned he singles out Fijian internationalist Netani Talei as a major help.

Part of the reason for bringing the likes of Talei and Argentina internationalist Esteban Lozada on board was to provide different insight and perspective, and according to McInally, the plan is working.

"Netani is in superb form and I've learned a lot from him.

"We get on well and he is happy to pass on advice about a back row area where there is such a lot of competition for places."

Given that competition - Talei, Ross Rennie and Alan MacDonald are all full caps while Scott Newlands and Roddy Grant have played to Scotland A - it is understandable that McInally has had to wait for opportunities.

So far he has appeared as a substitute in three Magners League matches although indications are that he will be involved when Connacht visit Murrayfield tomorrow.

"Every time I've been on the bench I've felt a sense of occasion but it is nothing like the buzz that comes from getting on the pitch. On each occasion I've walked off at full time I've been dying to get another chance straightaway."

That is the sort of determination that fuels the player nicknamed "Rambo" and who is now particularly desperate to get going in Edinburgh colours.

"I've been really fortunate so far in my professional career having been part of the Scotland sevens team at the Commonwealth Games and also getting an A cap.

"The sevens training and matches were just what I needed to get fit coming off the back of a foot injury but now it is all about trying to get a starting place with Edinburgh."

If that first start comes tomorrow then it will sum up just how far "Rambo" has come.

"When Connacht visited last season I was part of the crowd who witnessed the biggest win of the campaign," he recalls.

Since then Edinburgh have blown hot and cold but with three home wins in a row momentum is building nicely into the restart of the Heineken Cup. "We have a responsibility to maintain the feelgood throughout the game as a consequence of Scotland's win over South Africa and I'm sure we can" McInally added.

"Netani is in superb form and I've learned a lot from him. We get on well and he is happy to pass on advice" stuart mcinally