If there is such a thing as karma, Grant Gilchrist is due a sizeable dose of fortune in his favour as he returns to the Scotland team against Argentina at BT Murrayfield today.
The second row from Alloa has undergone two gruelling and depressing rehabs from serious injury in the last two years but has fought his way back into the starting team for today second Autumn Test.
He was captain when Scotland played Argentina in the summer of 2014 and would have been skipper the last time the Scots faced the Pumas but for the first of the serious injuries that plagued him, but he’s now happy to be part of the rank and file behind Grieg Laidlaw.
“It’s been a frustrating time but it’s the past now,” he says. “I’m just focusing on my job within the team.
“It’s been great getting back to playing regularly for Edinburgh and getting on the pitch against Australia last week, I loved every minute; obviously I was disappointed not to win but to be back in the jersey was a great feeling.”
After a year out with a broken arm sustained just before the Autumn Tests two years ago, Gilchrist fought back to make the Rugby World Cup squad but tore a groin muscle playing against the USA. Having just endured on rehabilitation programme that lasted months, he was faced with another.
“There is no worse feeling,” he said. “I was in a pretty dark place but I am quite a positive guy and got over it quite quickly.”
Gilchrist credits Edinburgh for giving him focus behind the scenes as he embarked on a second months-long recovery.
“Second time round, they gave me some clear focus on things I could get better at, and I was involved with the team rather than stuck in a gym or on a bike.
“I had a use for the team and I felt I could help people like Fraser McKenzie and Ben Toolis at the club; obviously I couldn’t play the game, but there was a real focus for me, and in the meantime I also wanted to get faster and stronger.”
He also had a firm sense of perspective about his luck.
“It’s an injury, and it’ll heal,” he says. “There was nothing career-threatening. It’s not great because it’s stopping you doing the thing that you love, but there are many worse things in the world.
“It made me appreciate what I can do to prepare on the training field more and how to make the most of my time.
“I just knew I could overcome it and put everything into my rehab to get back into a position to play for Scotland.
“That was always my goal. I knew I would have to earn it. I would get nothing just because I was there during the World Cup. I am loving being back.”
Gilchrist was earmarked for captain by Vern Cotter from an early stage and is part of the leadership group within the squad, but he knows Scotland have their captain for now.
“Greig is a great captain and there is a good support network beneath him, while I’m coming back in and I need to prove myself again.
“You have to show that you are the player you were before and that you can be valuable to the team. I will chip in where I can, but my role here is different to the one I have at Edinburgh.
“I need to make sure that everything is right in my game and that I’m doing everything I can personally to make sure the team is successful.”
In the meantime, a concerted run injury-free will certainly get him noticed again by the likes of big-spending French club Toulon, who were showing interest in him last season and reportedly again this year.
“It is flattering when a big club say they are interested in you, but I knew what was right for me at the time last year, and I had already agreed terms with Edinburgh.
“It was the right thing for me, recovery wise, mentally as well and I am loving the challenge that Edinburgh are giving me. I’m co-captain, and I enjoy being involved in the set-up of the club and we are trying to drive something forward. We are not there but it is an ongoing process and we are not there yet.”
And he’s delighted to see Edinburgh’s development reflected in caps for team-mates Hamish Watson and Magnus Bradbury.
“They have both been outstanding for Edinburgh, and it’s great to see them being rewarded with selection,” he said.
“Magnus has gone from being a talented kid to the real deal over the summer and I truly believe he will play really well this weekend.
“I’m excited to see how he goes and it was brilliant to see Hamish playing last weekend and showing that he can do what he does for Edinburgh at the top level.”
Scotland are poised for a record crowd for the fixture today despite a later kick-off of 5pm and with some club matches being played this weekend.
Tickets sales have already surpassed the 36,764 which saw the 41-31 Scotland win two years ago, the last meeting of the teams.
