Rugby: Scotland prop wasn't dispirited by 40-0 loss

The former Heriot's and Edinburgh prop forward, now with Gloucester, hasn't forgotten how the first of his 18 caps coincided with a 40-0 World Cup thrashing at the hands of the 2007 All Blacks at Murrayfield.

He says: "I was pretty raw, pretty young and was taught a lesson on the day.

"I don't believe it has done me any harm because I believe I have come a long way after being left to get back up and try to improve. But it (the debut) is always something you want to get revenge for."

Dickinson believes Scotland can draw inspiration from now knowing they can defeat top southern hemisphere opposition.

Although missing out on last year's epic 9-8 victory over the Wallabies, he is well aware of the extra confidence flowing through the squad as a consequence of both that win and the subsequent summer Test series triumph in Argentina.

"The Australian success has helped our belief," admitted the 27-year-old.

"Sometimes people don't expect us to win these matches against the best southern hemisphere teams but we have shown we can do it.

"Believing it can be done is one of the biggest things ahead of a match like the one we have got coming up."

Scotland are actually going into action on the back of four successive matches unbeaten and Dickinson adds: "We've just got to keep building and hopefully get our just rewards."

As a member of the squad that won in Ireland at the end of the last Six Nations, Dickinson knows, too, that expectations are increasing on the terraces, but, for him, that can be seen as a positive.

"Whenever you win expectations are increased but that is what we want.

"We want all of Scotland to get behind us and be vocal because if the fans believe then that helps us too."

Changes that now allow two props to sit on an extended substitutes' bench could work in favour of the likes of Dickinson who is one of five players covering that position in coach Andy Robinson's preliminary squad of 33.

Allan Jacobsen and Euan Murray are expected to be first choices when the line-up is announced later today, but Dickinson underlined his claims by being on the pitch last time out in Mar del Plata when the series triumph over the Pumas was sealed.

Since then he has maintained his reputation as one of the busiest of performers in figuring regularly for a Gloucester club he joined three seasons ago and has now represented 64 times.

This season he has turned out in nine of Gloucester's 13 fixtures, including last weekend's EDF Energy clash at Newport Gwent Dragons.

"I don't like training and would far rather be playing.

"For me you train to play and I throw myself into it only because it can help me produce more in actual matches.

"It was a bit of a rocky start to the Aviva Premiership but the club have got back on track and hopefully are now in a groove with club hooker Scott Lawson and I bringing a bit of understanding into the Scotland squad, who scrummage in a similar way."

Gloucester's website refers to Dickinson as a "tremendous ball carrier" and, certainly, law changes which have speeded up the game appear to play into the hands of the likes of him.

"I've always been someone that wants to run around the park and rugby has speeded up massively

"Hopefully that helps both me and Scotland.

"With all law changes you have to adapt but we do enjoy a fast paced game," says the player who has added three Gloucester tries to eight scored during his Edinburgh career.

A first international try has still to be achieved but although tight forward duties are of primary consideration Dickinson, if called upon this weekend, is just the type to instigate a few line breaks as Scotland try to get in behind the All Blacks.

What's more, it is perhaps an indication of changing time that at Edinburgh five of the club's 21 tries this season have been scored by prop forwards compared with one throughout the whole of last season.

"We want all of Scotland to get behind us and be vocal. If the fans believe then that helps us too" ally dickinson