Adam Ashe relishing return to Murrayfield

ONLY 500 people were there to watch the last time Adam Ashe ran out at Murrayfield - but the Glasgow forward insists that was enough to spark his Scotland ambitions into life.

Scotland's Adam Ashe in action during their Captain's Run. Picture: SNS

The 21-year-old has not competed at the home of Scottish rugby since he was part of the Stirling County squad which won the National Youth Cup in 2009.

But there will be a much larger crowd gathered in Edinburgh’s West End on Saturday as the number eight picks up his second cap for Vern Cotter’s side.

While the opening autumn Test with Argentina is not a sell-out, it is on course to break the 2001 record of 36,634 for a clash betweens the teams.

Ashe was just a promising teenager when he was given his first glimpse of the Murrayfield turf, but a 34-13 win over Currie Colts proved to be his first step on the road to full international recognition.

Asked to divulge his Murrayfield record, the Warriors man said: “I’ve don’t actually think I’ve played at Murrayfield with Glasgow.

“The last time I played there was an Under-18s Cup final for Stirling County quite a while back.

“I really enjoyed it, though, and we got a fantastic win. Hopefully we can get the same on Saturday.

“The crowd will probably be a bit bigger. I think there was about 500 that day.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing the place packed out on Saturday.

“That was always the dream back in those days with County, so it’s fantastic to be in the position to do it now.

“Growing up, having the chance to play at Murrayfield at 17 was always a great driver to make sure I got back here one day.”

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Ashe is one of 10 Glasgow men chosen to start against the Pumas following the Scotstoun side’s impressive start to the season - both in the Guinness Pro12 and in Europe.

But it will be a testing afternoon for Ashe and his back-row colleagues Rob Harley - also on Gregor Townsend’s books at Scotstoun - and London Irish’s New Zealand-born Blair Cowan.

With just 11 caps between them, the trio do not have much experience to fall back on but Ashe is confident.

He said: “It’s brilliant to see a lot of the Glasgow boys here. It obviously helps. We are playing week in, week out with these guys.

“We know how each other plays and that is always a bonus.

“I’ve got Rob beside me in the back row which is good as I have played with him a lot this season.

“Blair is in there too but I haven’t played too much with him so far. From what I have seen, though, he is a really good player. He has a fantastic skill set and is a pretty physical seven.

“I’m looking forward to linking up with those two guys.”

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