Kyle Steyn remains laser focused on securing a starting berth with Scotland for the Autumn Nations Series, and he’s backed Glasgow Warriors team-mate Tom Jordan to feature in Gregor Townsend’s plans.
Warriors captain Steyn will miss Friday night’s URC clash with Zebre at Scotstoun through injury but he’s in line to return for the first of their South Africa double-header against the Sharks.
The versatile back has 13 international tries to his name in just 23 caps but faces immense competition for a wing spot at Scotland from Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham.
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The Edinburgh duo, however, are part of a struggling capital side currently, with Steyn arguably the most in-form Scottish winger ahead of next month's four-match series at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.
“Everything I do is to push for a starting place with Scotland,” Steyn admitted.
“But I’m not an idiot about what the competition looks like because Duhan is a cracking player and Darcy will be finding his feet after a long time out. He’s a class player and he will get there.
"I’m not going to put energy into what they do because I need to get back on the pitch for Glasgow and perform again.”
Steyn addressed the media from Hampden Park after it was officially announced that Glasgow would host their home leg of the 1872 Cup against Edinburgh away from Scotstoun. Many of the players on the opposing sides are also team-mates for Scotland but Steyn insists the rivalry remains strong.
“If you're playing against your brother, it always ends up being that much bigger. And that's what it's like playing against those guys. We all know each other so well, but because you know them it makes us want to beat them more.
“It's been fairly gentlemanly in the past couple of years, but certainly on the field, there's a little bit that goes on in the heat of the battle, which is always good fun as well.
"There’s definitely that element to it. It's just the way it falls in the year, you only have these big games – you’re in Europe, into the 1872, back into Europe and then into the Six Nations.
“So, it's just a crunch time of year for everyone and that's when everyone wants to be at their best. And there's so many Scotland match-ups that it ends up sort of being, not an unofficial trial but as close to it as you do get, so that definitely just adds some more fuel to the fire.”
One extra Glasgow team-mate could soon share the Scotland dressing room with Steyn at Murrayfield - Tom Jordan.
Asked whether Jordan deserves a Scotland call-up, Stern replied. “If you are asking anyone from Glasgow then he will be straight in.
"He’s a top class professional and I really like his mindset and physicality from 10. There’s a lot of value that he can add to the national set-up.
"We all know about the competitive spirit that he’s had for the last two seasons. It took him a while to break into the Glasgow team and we saw that competitive nature, took his chance and ran with it.”
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It’s a big season in the rugby calendar with the highlight arriving next summer when the British and Irish Lions tour Australia.
Several Glasgow stars will be in contention to make Andy Farrell’s squad with Sione Tuipulotu arguably the leading candidate for a starting berth.
The 27-year-old was integral to Glasgow winning the URC title last season with his contribution, with and without the ball, a major asset. Tuipulotu will be key to Townsend’s Scotland plans for the Autumn and Six Nations with Steyn backing his team-mate to be on the flight to Australia next June.
“He was in a class of his own on Friday and he’s pulling boys up to his level all around him to his standard at the moment. He’s having such a good impact on the group.
"Everybody can see how he’s going about his business through the week and how that is benefitting him on the weekend. I’m buzzing for him and his family - hopefully that keeps up.”
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