There's a board in a room with a list of 15 names on it. Sitting in front of that board are the Scotland squad. I'm one of them. The Scotland head coach Andy Robinson is there; he has control of the board. At some point he will turn it around and the team to play France will be revealed... The Six Nations creeps up on you, though, to be honest, the thought of playing some part in Scotland's campaign this year has been in the back of my head for a while. I had a good autumn Test series, particularly the Australia game, so I knew I was in with a shout. The first step is being selected for the training squad up in St Andrews. I made that and it went well, I met up with some old friends, went through the routines at training, got to grips with the calls.  Scotland's Six Nations opens when France visit Murrayfield on Sunday |
Robinson, assistant coach when we toured Argentina in 2008, has spoken to me one-to-one on a regular basis; two minutes, 20 minutes, an hour - whatever it takes. What did I do right or wrong, did I play well? He's an inspirational man, he had success as a player and a coach and demands 100% focus. I play open-side flanker and part of my job is to win the ball. He took me aside and told me to keep going forward at the ruck. Just as I thought I was going to be cleared out at the ruck - don't give up - at the very moment you think you're going to give up; don't! I didn't, we turned the ball over and Ross Ford scored a try. I think it's called attention to detail. But back to that board and the assembled Scotland squad. When it was turned around my name was there, I would be playing for the nation against France on Sunday 7 February. The selection fills me with immense pride. Away from those in the team, Andy makes sure he talks to the guys who don't make it; hopefully they'll have other chances. As for me, this week I've been excited, nervous and proud. But you get on with the job and take it as it comes.  | MY SPORT: DEBATE |
On Wednesday, for example, we got a lie-in, breakfast at nine, then it was time for physio. After that a leadership meeting - Andy's big on leadership - with the likes of Chris Cusiter and Al Kellock. Lunch next, then training and recovery, media duties followed, then a meeting with the team lawyer on citing procedures. After all that, relaxation took the form of tenpin bowling which the captain, Chris Cusiter, won. We went in small groups for dinner after that - Chris, Alan MacDonald and me opting for sushi - then back to the hotel. I often get asked what I do to relax. Sometimes it's going over essential homework, thanks to the great work of the analysis guys I can look at every French scrum in the past year from the comfort of my trusty computer. If not that then it's Grey's Anatomy. What's the difference, you might ask! At Glasgow a lot of the guys are into their consoles. Sometimes I seem to be one of the only ones who's not talking about weapons gained or levels overcome. When it comes to music I have one piece which inspires me, a cover of Caledonia by Paolo Nutini.  Barclay knows the French will provide stern opposition |
It's important, though, not to get caught up in a Six Nations bubble so I try to keep regular contact with friends and family, just to see what's happening in the world out there. Anyway, back to the big game. There's a romantic notion of French rugby; flair, skill ever-so-slightly ill-tempered. Don't believe a word of it. No team beats South Africa and New Zealand through ill-discipline. They'll be tough, but I am really looking forward to it. It's the start of a championship so, if we win, we'll be very quiet about it and get right on with the business at hand - and we intend to win. On Sunday I'll walk out onto the turf at Murrayfield wearing my Scotland shirt. Can I explain how that feels? Bizarrely, the reason I can't explain it goes a long way to explaining it if you know what I mean. I'll line up for the anthems and will try to spot my mum and dad in the crowd. This can be a mixed blessing; sometimes if I catch sight of them it can start me off, so we'll just see how it goes. When I got my first cap I was a mess... but it's a great way to feel. John Barclay was talking to BBC Scotland's Jim Mason and will be contributing throughout the Six Nations.
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