Six Nations: David Denton ready to fulfil date with destiny

THERE cannot be many boys playing rugby on the sun-kissed fields of southern Africa who would rather be turning out in a frosty northern European winter, but David Denton was one.

As a schoolboy in his native Zimbabwe, then during his early days in the senior ranks in South Africa, the 6ft 5in colossus was sure he wanted to play for Scotland. His Glaswegian mother made sure of that.

When Denton first realised that ambition last autumn, it was so brief that it felt illusory: just 20 minutes as a replacement, in a World Cup warm-up match against Ireland. When he starts an international for the first time at Murrayfield on Saturday, the day before his 22nd birthday, it will feel far more like the real thing – the event he was brought up to be a part of.

“I was always told that we were supporting Scotland and anyone who played against England,” Denton said yesterday after being named in No 8 in Andy Robinson’s team for the Calcutta Cup match. “I actually phoned my dad and told him [I was in the team], and he threw a few swear words down the phone and told me my mum was crying. As you might expect.

“Scotland-England is the biggest rugby match in the world and it’s going to be an incredible experience for me. It’s a match I’ve watched and dreamed of playing in since I was a kid.”

Anyone who has witnessed Denton’s dynamism as a ball- carrier could have predicted that the big forward would realise that dream sooner rather than later, but he is still somewhat surprised by the speed of his progress, which has seen him go from club rugby with Stirling County to a starting place in the international ranks in around 18 months. “It’s been an incredible year,” he said. “Since my first start for Edinburgh up to now, it all does seem pretty surreal.

“A year ago this would have seemed a very far way away. I think the club game has played a big part in my development, then when I got involved with Edinburgh I took the opportunity and started playing well. Then things snowballed from there.”

The snowball was halted for a time last autumn when, after making his debut in that Ireland game, Denton was omitted from the squad that travelled to the World Cup. But he was advised that the stoppage could be brief provided he worked on maintaining his progress with Edinburgh, and the advice proved correct.

“When I was left out of the squad, Andy had a few words with me and he said I was not going to take it too much to heart. Just carry on playing and get myself forward for this.” There is little doubt that Denton has the potential to make as big an impact this year as Richie Gray did two seasons ago when he first started for Scotland. What there has been uncertainty about is whether he would be best deployed at No 8 or as a blindside flanker. But Robinson told him a few weeks ago that he was going to play the former role, and that, as he said, has given him extra time for which to prepare for this game.

“It set my mind, so I could get my mind right for the game about the roles I’d be playing, which I was thankful for. It’s not a problem for me. I’ve switched around this season, probably played more at 6, but I’m very comfortable at 8 and I feel I can handle the pressure there as well.

“In open play it’s pretty much the same role: I’m doing the same thing, carrying ball and getting us on the front foot. The big difference is scrum time – I’m going to be playing a big role in terms of our quality of possession. It’s just about getting into the game. Rugby’s rugby. You just keep playing the same way.

“I feel my ball-carrying has been going really well for Edinburgh, and hopefully I can bring that on to the pitch again on Saturday. If we don’t get the go-forward ball we’re going to be struggling to score the tries. We’ve got to get on the front foot.”

A confident and engaging individual, with a naturally optimistic frame of mind, Denton looks like the sort who has spent most of his life on the front foot. But, while he appears at his happiest when running straight at the opposition ball in hand, he has a lot to offer in defence as well, and at 18 stone is a formidable obstacle for any opponent.

His parents are flying over in time to see their boy realise his dream, and the only question now is whether this apparently unflappable man will betray any nerves when he runs out on to the Murrayfield pitch as darkness falls. “I’m not going to know until Saturday morning,” he admitted. “I’m hoping that mentally I’m going to be stable and take it in my stride.”

At his height, he has a pretty big stride. He should handle it all right.