Nathan McBeth admits he would love to be part of Scotland’s summer tour – but insists his sole focus is currently on trying to win silverware with Glasgow Warriors.
It could be a big few weeks for the Scotstoun side as they look to clinch a home quarter-final, and McBeth has played a big role recently, with injury keeping Jamie Bhatti out of the Glasgow side.
With four games left of the campaign, Glasgow can still finish top of the pile ahead of the play-offs and set up a big opportunity to win the United Rugby Championship for the second time.
That would take the season up until June 22 before Scotland then have a tour of Canada, USA, Uruguay and Chile in July.
McBeth - a former Scotland and South Africa cap at under-20 level - is eligible for a call-up due to his Scottish grandfather.
With Gregor Townsend expected to rest a number of first-choice players, that could offer McBeth an opportunity to prove his worth at Test level.
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He said: “I’m Scottish-qualified but just taking it game by game just now. I’m just trying to play my best for Glasgow at the moment.
"Obviously, I’m hoping to be on the tour but if I’m not then I’ll just do my best for Glasgow and keep the ball rolling.
“I’ve not spoken to Gregor about it yet but I’d imagine all the chat about it will be after the season. For now we’re all just focusing on the URC.
“I’ve been blessed now to start a few games in a row. That’s been very good.
"Franco has helped me and motivated me so I’m very happy to get a few starts under my belt now. I had been benching for a while before that.
“With Leinster losing away to the Lions we’re wishing we also took a bonus point against the Sharks. And then we would have been even with them in first place.
"It’s going to be tough over the next few games but we have some good momentum, especially at Scotstoun.
"The more games we can get here the better.
“Obviously we have Zebre this weekend and then the two South African games so these are massive games for us.
"We want to end the season as high as possible and play all our games at Scotstoun if we can. The feeling is we have to work hard, play hard and show our dominance.”
The competition at loosehead is strong at Glasgow and it is a position that will be bolstered further when Rory Sutherland joins in the summer.
The British and Irish Lion will add to depth that includes McBeth, Jamie Bhatti and Oli Kebble, but McBeth says he is looking forward to welcoming Sutherland to the club.
He continued: “I met him once before but he sounds like a great guy so I’m excited to have him here as well. It will be good.
“It’s a lot of competition but that’s the wonderful thing about this club. We have such great players for the same position and we all push each other and want the best for each other. That’s perfect. It’s a lucky position that we’re in to have so many class players for each position.”
This season has also seen a big off-field change for McBeth, who became a father when he and partner Micaela welcomed son Noah in September.
Their new arrival has been part of a baby boom at Scotstoun with Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones and Henco Venter also becoming fathers recently, and Sione Tuipulotu set to join them imminently.
The 25-year-old said it is helpful having team-mates going through the same experiences, and believes it has brought the group closer together.
But don’t expect any slack from Franco Smith on getting some delayed training sessions to catch up on sleep.
Asked if he’s ever allowed a late start by the head coach, McBeth joked: “No chance. Work has to come first.
“Noah is seven months now, crawling, talking and keeping us busy. We’re just loving him and the family has been over to see him. Dad life has been very good for me.
“I don’t know what’s in the water, but it’s been good. We’re all going through the same stuff and can relate. That brings the team closer as we’re all on the same page with no sleep, nappies and everything. It’s a very big blessing to extend the club.”
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