From establishing himself in the Glasgow Warriors team to making his international debut on the summer tour, it has been a whirlwind season for Max Williamson.
The former Dollar Academy pupil made his Glasgow debut in a win over Benetton in November 2023 and went on to enjoy a breakthrough campaign at Scotstoun.
He played 18 more games and helped the Warriors win the United Rugby Championship title – though he was forced to sit out the final in Pretoria after picking up a bug.
The season wasn’t done there, though. After being named Glasgow’s Breakthrough Player of the Season, the 21-year-old went on to earn his first Scotland cap against Canada earlier this month.
Reflecting on a meteoric rise to the Test arena, he said: “It has been pretty surreal, to be honest.
“From making my Glasgow debut this season to where I am now has been quite a journey for me. I’ve loved all of it so far, so yeah, it’s been fantastic.”
Williamson – who was invited to train with Scotland during the 2021 Six Nations while still a teenager - also said his rise has taken him by surprise.
He said if it was put to him at the start of the campaign that by its conclusion he’d be a Scotland international, he would have laughed.
The lock forward modestly added: "I’ve been quite big on just taking it one week at a time, because you never really know what’s going to happen. I was literally just like, ‘If things happen, they do. If they don’t, then at least I’ve not built myself up to be disappointed or anything.’”
Having been named in the starting team to face Uruguay, Williamson could complete a tour clean sweep having been involved in the three wins so far.
With Richie Gray, his fit-again brother Jonny, plus Edinburgh duo Sam Skinner and Grant Gilchrist likely to come back into contention for the autumn, Williamson will have to be at the top of his game to keep his Scotland place come November.
But he’s determined to fight for his spot.
He said: “I’ve got goals, but I’m more like ‘What can I do each week?’ basically, rather than hoping for something to happen.
“I’ll just keep doing my own thing, and then if I’m fortunate enough to play a decent amount of game time, then I’ve put myself in a good place to give myself an opportunity.”
Speaking of the elder Gray brother, Williamson said the 2013 Lions tourist has been a great source of information, as has Scotland colleague Scott Cummings – his partner in the engine room in Montevideo.
“It’s brilliant to have both of them,” Williamson said.
"Richie has done everything, pretty much. His knowledge and the calmness he brings really helps me to do my own thing.
“Scott is probably more hands-on with me and I learn a lot of the detailed stuff from him.
“He’s been great with me for that - he’s been looking at my performances and helping me kick on.
“So both of them together - you couldn’t really ask for much better.”
Away from the pitch, Williamson said he has relished the chance to go on tour with Scotland. He’s also built a reputation as a decent poker player, according to Glasgow team-mate Cummings.
Again, Williamson played down his abilities: “We've been playing a lot and it's been fairly even, but that day when Scott spoke [to the media] I'd won the night before, but I'd say it has been fairly balanced. It's been a good way to have some chat and pass some time.”
Prior to this season, Williamson had found game-time limited at senior level. As he did when he faced the media earlier in the season, he referenced a loan spell at Doncaster as a crucial time in his development.
I had a loan spell down at Doncaster which was great for me, getting seven or eight games there.
He added: “I hadn't played that many games other than under-20s so it has been really good to get a long string of games together this season- that is the best thing for me in terms of developing my game, getting as much game-time as I can."
And while the 2023/24 campaign can be filed into the marathon category rather than a sprint, Williamson insists he is still feeling fresh.
“I'm feeling good to go for this week,” he said.
“Every opportunity I can get to keep training in this environment and to have the opportunity to play is fantastic."
And he knows exactly what is expected from a strong Scotland team in the Uruguayan capital tomorrow.
“We’re just looking to focus on ourselves and put in a really good performance to finish off this tour.”
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