Moray Low putting injury hell behind him

AFTER a very different and more mobile festive period to a year ago, Glasgow prop Moray Low is hopeful that 2013 could bring a return to the international stage.

The 28-year-old is keen to concentrate on turning promising showings in recent weeks into a consistent run and knows he faces a stern test from the Ulster front row in tonight’s Heineken Cup tie at Ravenhill.

“This time last year I was sitting with crutches and a knee brace on,” he recalled, “and I knew I wouldn’t be fit for the Six Nations. This time around I’ve just been focusing on putting in good performances for Glasgow. We have the culture here that it’s all about the team when you have the jersey on. It’s through doing your bit and making sacrifices for the team that we’re going to get wins for Glasgow. And, if you get wins and results, you’ll be rewarded in the long run.”

Low has twice been struck by serious knee injuries, only returning from the second at the end of last season. Now he is regaining form and is spurred on by the SRU bringing in tightheads Mike Cusack and Ofa Fainga’anuku at Glasgow, and Willem Nel at Edinburgh.

“The SRU is creating competition and it raises your game more,” added Low. “At Glasgow we have depth all over the place and that’s raised everybody’s game, and meant more competition for the props and has pushed us to do more.

“It has helped me in my strength in scrummaging, fitness, and my work at the breakdown.

“Looking to win turnovers and slow ball down is part of my game that has really come on. We have a scoring system where we get rewarded for certain things and, at the end of the week we see who’s at the top, and I’ve won a couple of them, which has been good.

“I’m working with Gregor [Townsend] on running support lines, scrummaging with Massimo [Cuttitta] and lineout work with Shade [Munro] and it’s all helping me become a better player.”

The lad from Torphins is cautious, though, about adding to his 15 caps. He said: “Injury has played a big part for me in the last two years. Now, it’s all about doing well with Glasgow first. If you do, you’ll get rewarded by the club and, hopefully, internationally.”