Ben Toolis eyes place on Scotland's Japan tour

Ben Toolis is hoping to continue his Scotland career on this summer's tour. Picture: Gary Hutchison/SNS/SRU

When Jonny Gray was ruled out of the Six Nations finale against Ireland with a chest injury and Tim Swinson promoted to the starting XV, it was Glasgow’s Rob Harley who got the nod to cover second row on the bench. However, the regard with which the  Edinburgh lock is held by national coach Vern Cotter and the Scotland management was shown by the fact that Toolis was taken to  Dublin as a reserve.

“I was 25th man. It was a bit of fun throwing the ball about. The hotel was good and the food was good,” said the Brisbane-born 23-year-old, who was capped off the bench against Italy in last year’s Six Nations.

“It is good to be involved, but frustrating at the same time to get so close, but still so far. It was good to be around the boys and the game day feel of a Six Nations away match. It also motivates you more to try and push your way in there.”

Along with promising young flanker Hamish Watson, the tournament came a bit too soon after both battled back from injuries, but the tour  to Japan must now be a real target.

“Obviously we would love to be involved, but you can’t say that. You just need to do it out there on the pitch and make them pick you,” said Toolis, who had to have elbow surgery in September.

“Myself and Hamish have to go out over these next few games and put in some dominant performances and show to ourselves that we have done everything that we can and then it is up to the coaches to decide.”

Toolis admitted that his elevation to full Test level probably came ahead of schedule and he is willing to be patient. “I have said before that if someone would have said I would have got a cap last year I wouldn’t have believed them so I’m not too worried about the next one,” he explained.

“Obviously anyone would want it to come quicker, but it is about biding your time. In the second-row there is quite a bit of competition so you need to look at those in front of you and try and get better.”

Of course different players develop at different speeds and Toolis has the inspiration of Gray the younger to look up to. The Glasgow captain is a year younger but already has 23 caps to his name and there is a sibling angle which Ben can relate to, as his twin brother and fellow lock Alex is also part of the Edinburgh squad.

Toolis said: “Jonny is a great player. He is young and I think it helps that he has someone like [older brother] Richie playing alongside him and give him a bit of mental ease.

“I know having played with Alex that it is good having someone you are close to involved on game day as well.

“In the national set-up that could help Jonny a lot because I know he talks to his brother about lineouts and stuff like that so they have a special bond.

“Jonny has done really well, it is a tough job, but he keeps getting rewarded with gametime and for me it is just about being around that environment and adapting to it.”

For now Toolis is fully focused on Edinburgh’s push for a top-six finish which continues at Newport Gwent Dragons on Sunday.

With just five games remaining in the Guinness Pro12, the lock knows that there is no more room for error.

“Yes definitely,” he agreed. “I think in training today a few boys were getting frustrated because obviously there are only a few games left and we want to be giving ourselves the best chance of making the top six.

“I think sometimes we eased off during the season because after a good win we expected things just to come, but now it is crunch time and the boys are getting a bit agitated and really want to win.”A return to the elite European Champions Cup is the aim and  Toolis is burning to earn that experience.

“Playing in the Champions Cup would be pretty special, playing against some of the best in Europe and the world and comparing yourself against your opposite number,” he said. “You will become better as a player  playing in that competition.”