Moray Low desperate for a Scotland high after his unexpected call up

GLASGOW prop Moray Low will head to his third continent inside a week today hoping that it could bring a long-awaited return to the Scotland squad.

The 27-year-old has been called up as a replacement for his Warriors team-mate Jon Welsh, two years his junior, who has moved to Low’s tighthead side of the scrum. Low won the last of his 15 caps in the World Cup warm-up Test against Italy last August but was the only unused player in the World Cup. He picked up a calf injury on return to Scotland and, after shaking that off, played only a handful of games before suffering a knee injury.

He returned to action too late for RBS Six Nations contention and that cost him a chance of an original tour spot. However, having only returned from a week’s holiday in Mexico with his girlfriend he is thrilled now to be heading to the other side of the world on a mission to remind coach Andy Robinson of what he can bring to Scotland’s cause.

“It’s really exciting to be called up for the tour,” he said. “It was disappointing not to be there at the start, but with the injuries I had this season I knew it would be tough to make it.

“I was looking forward to starting pre-season at Glasgow on Monday, and setting myself big targets for the next two months, but now the focus switches to a great opportunity on tour. I was flying back from Mexico when the guys were playing Australia but it was amazing to see the result when I landed. It is awesome to be called out to tour at any time, and have the chance to represent your country, but to be part of what I hope will be another historic tour is amazing.”

Low was the starting tighthead on Scotland’s last summer tour, when they defeated Argentina twice in 2010 to claim a first series win in the southern hemisphere. Euan Murray did not tour due to injury and the Newcastle prop made his presence felt in Tuesday’s victory.

Edinburgh’s Geoff Cross has stepped up the pressure for the No 3 jersey this year, while Low faces a battle just to play at Glasgow next season with Mike Cusack, Ed Kalman and the versatile Welsh his rivals, so there is no easy route back to the Test arena.

But with Murray 32 by the time the new season kicks off, and Cusack not yet Scottish qualified, the contest for propping spots could hinge, like most in sport, simply on being in, and performing, at the right place at the right time. Even though Robinson stuck with his front row to the end of the win against the Wallabies, a change from his usual pattern, Low knows the tour could provide that opportunity.

“The 2010 tour to Argentina was great for the squad, and I learned a lot after that,” he added, “and now the guys have set the bar high again.

“I don’t know what chance I’ll get, but I finished the season well and still feel fresh so I’m just looking forward to getting out there, working really hard and getting up to speed with the squad, and pushing again for a chance to play.”