Edinburgh's Jamie Hodgson speaks on Scotland journey, key Gregor Townsend talk and second-row battle

Jamie Hodgson celebrates Scotland's 15-13 win over Australia in the Autumn Nations Series at BT Murrayfield. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group)

Edinburgh lock Jamie Hodgson floated back into training this week, still basking in the glow of his international breakthrough.

The second-row forward won his first Scotland cap as a starter in the thumping win over Tonga, and the second and third quickly followed when he came on as a sub against Australia and South Africa.

They were pinch-yourself moments for the 23-year-old, who has been going about his work at Edinburgh with a quiet diligence over the past couple of seasons.

“The first cap was amazing and just the whole journey with my family and everyone involved. It was a boyhood dream,” he said. “And to get on the next week as we beat Australia – I don’t think I could have dreamt that, it was incredible.”

Jamie Hodgson back in training with Edinburgh after the international window. (Photo by Paul Devlin / SNS Group)

While eight players were given debuts in the 60-14 win over Tonga, only Hodgson and Pierre Schoeman of the octet remained in the squad for the match against the Wallabies – testament to the trust national coach Gregor Townsend had placed in the pair.

“To get involved in that second game was definitely a big confidence boost,” acknowledged Hodgson.