Edinburgh centre Mark Bennett admits to being frustrated by a lack of game-time during the recent Autumn Test Series, but the centre says his overriding emotion is of excitement at being back involved again after four years in the international wilderness.
Now he plans to use the next two months with Edinburgh to push his case for a more central role in Gregor Townsend’s plans during the 2023 Six Nations and onwards into next Autumn’s World Cup in France.
“I’m delighted that I am back in the frame but disappointed that I didn’t play more because I think I had more to offer,” he said. “But the good thing is that I’m in a position that I feel like if I am given a chance then I’ll take it.
“I’ve got this block between now and the Six Nations to do everything I can to push my case further.”
Bennett will get his first opportunity to lay down a marker to the Scotland selectors when he lines up for Edinburgh against a Munster at the DAM Health Stadium on Friday night.
The Irishmen started the season slowly but have built some impressive momentum in recent weeks by beating a Springbok A side during the Autumn break and then Connacht last weekend.
“They are hard to play against – really physical and dynamic up-front – and watching the game at the weekend they did a lot of good stuff,” agreed Bennett. “That physicality is the game, if you can match them there then you will have a shout of winning, and if you don’t then you are facing a hiding – it is as simple as that.
“We’re now in a block of 10 games on consecutive weeks so the boys are going to be tested, but if you look at all the games we’ve had this season, we have been there or thereabouts, and it is just about cracking on. Those close losses need to start being wins.”
Edinburgh failed to beat a Benetton side who had a player sent off after just 10 minutes last weekend but will be boosted this week by their international contingent – including Bennett – returning to the fray.
“It was nice to get a bit of a break and refresh, then come back ready to go this week,” concluded Bennett. “I was really excited to get back in this morning, see the boys and have a run about. It is just nice to get the ball back in your hands.
“Obviously, the result didn’t go the way we wanted over in Treviso, which would have made it a really good weekend, but we’re in a good spot as a squad and ready to crack on.”
