Kyle Rowe is looking forward to a busy end to the season with Glasgow Warriors after playing a greater-than-expected role in Scotland’s Six Nations campaign.
A knee injury to Blair Kinghorn opened the door for Rowe to start against Wales and France.
While the former Ayr and Glasgow Hawks man performed admirably, he found himself out of the side for the Calcutta Cup win, before returning to the squad against Italy.
Rowe watched the defeat in Rome from the bench, but was given the final throws of the match against Ireland in Dublin as he won his fifth cap.
He said the Six Nations had been “taxing” both physically and mentally, but is back in contention to face Scarlets in Llanelli on Saturday after missing last weekend’s win over Cardiff.
Rowe said: “It was more mentally trying to get away and switch off basically. Hopefully I’ll get picked for this weekend and we can go to Scarlets and get the job done.”
Rowe made his Test debut against Argentina in 2022 but suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury that kept him out for almost a year.
Upon his return, London Irish’s demise left him without a club before Glasgow came calling last summer.
Rowe admitted he was not sure how much he’d play during the Six Nations despite showing good form for Glasgow. He now says he feels at home in the interntional environment.
He said: “I went into the Six Nations not really expecting anything and then when you play the first two games you’re like ‘I should be involved every week’ and I pretty much was apart from the England game.
“I was gutted about that because I want to play every game and overall I did a lot better than even what I was expecting with the game time so I was pretty happy with what I did over the Six Nations.
“I feel I’m at the point I should have been after the Argentina tour. With doing my knee and everything it stunted that so I feel I’m where I should have been a year previous.”
Rowe started the Wales win at fullback, and was originally picked there to play France, before Kyle Steyn dropped out with his wife in labour.
That meant a reshuffle – Rowe moved to the wing and Harry Paterson made his debut at fullback.
READ MORE: Harry Paterson reflects on 'bittersweet' Scotland debut
More used to playing on the wing, Rowe admitted it was an adjustment but one he’s happy to make, whether for club or country.
The former Scotland Sevens cap added: “I think during the week it was more trying to get myself comfortable with playing 15.
“Once you’re in the game and you’re in that state your mind is just focused on doing your job.
“I felt very comfortable and going into the France week where I was meant to be playing 15 I felt a lot more comfortable going into that game than I did going into the Wales game.”
With the Six Nations over, Rowe’s attentions are firmly on the end of the domestic season. Glasgow remain on course for a home play-off in the URC, while they play Harlequins in the last 16 of the Champions Cup next weekend.
“It’s getting to the business end of the season which is where you want to be,” he said. “We’re in two cups and we’re glad to be part of it.”
Off the pitch, a return to club duty allows the 26-year-old to spend more time with his partner Rhona and their whippet Maggie.
Rowe added: “It’ll be nice to get back into a nice routine here.
“Being in camp you’re in for two days, back home, back in and then travelling away for three away games so I didn’t see a lot of the missus or the dog or the family.
“They came out for a lot of the games but you don’t see a lot of them because you’re prepping for the game and travelling home the next day, so it’ll be nice getting back into a routine and focusing on what we need to do with Glasgow.”
There might be more time away from Rhona and Maggie with Scotland on tour in the summer, and while some front-line players are likely to be excused from the trip, Rowe insists he wants to be involved.
READ MORE: Rob Robertson: What do Scotland gain from touring Americas?
“I’d like to think I’m going but you never know what Gregor [Townsend] is thinking,” he said.
“Fingers crossed I’m going and get a few tests out there and then into the Autumn tests as well.
“I’ve done America and Canada because of the sevens but it was two different places so it’ll be a good month or so away and it’ll be good fun.”
Read the rules here