Pressure from Duncan Weir has driven Jackson into the Scotland squad

Having been identified in 2008 as the brightest challenger to Dan Parks and the now injured Phil Godman, Jackson was in line for an international debut this time last year. But his season failed to get off the starting grid as he came off the bench in Glasgow's opening match, scored a try and dislocated his shoulder in the process.

With Parks having left Glasgow for Cardiff, the door opened to the 22-year-old's first real run of games at professional level and his ability to step-up his performance levels in recent weeks had undoubtedly been aided by the presence, and performances, of 19-year-old Weir.

"It's been a decent start to the season, personally," said Jackson yesterday, "but it has been good to have had the contest with Dunc. He has been pushing me hard and that has helped me better myself and kept me progressing. I have been working hard to get into this squad.

"I feel part of the squad having been involved with them on a few occasions over the last few years, but I am desperate to get involved in a Test squad at some point. If I were to come on against New Zealand, it would be a good one to make your start - you are not going to top that - and if Dan Carter was playing it would be incredible.

"But, there is still a lot of time before the camp so I am not really looking at that just yet. I am just really happy to have had the email (informing him of selection] and hopefully be involved."

Clearly, Weir would have preferred to have been named in the squad himself, however, he is likely to have an opportunity to step up next month for Scotland A, who play the USA at Netherdale on 19 November, if he can overcome the challenge of Edinburgh's David Blair.

Jackson is a step ahead in terms of his development, and would be several steps had it not been for injury and the presence of Parks at Glasgow, and Robinson said he was impressed by Jackson's development.

"I think Ruaridh has been playing really well for Glasgow this year," he said. "His performances at the start of the season and the way he was attacking was really good and he played well against the Dragons and Wasps.

"Against those two very good defences he showed a real assuredness in the way he attacked. We've been working with Ruaridh for quite a number of years and I'm really pleased to see the way he has responded."

Robinson was also delighted to have a fully-fit Ross Rennie available for the first time. The 24-year-old flanker was hoping to feature in his first games back-to-back since the horrendous knee injury he suffered in 2008, but a head knock ruled him out of Saturday's defeat to Northampton.He is fit now and could play in the next two games with Edinburgh, however, against Ulster and Leinster. Delighted to be called up, Rennie admitted that selection in the Test squad would go a long way to giving the mind-numbing hours spent in rehab a worth.

"It's been hugely frustrating," he said, "but, hopefully, I am into the run of things now. It has been a long journey, but I hope it will all pay off. Playing for Edinburgh has been great, I am really enjoying it and I would hope we can get a couple of wins for them, perform well and then see what happens after that."