Luke Crosbie started this year as Scotland’s go-to man in the number six jersey but it hasn’t all been plain sailing for the Edinburgh forward. Injuries have denied him a run of games, though when he has been fit, Crosbie has also captained Scotland this year.  

He admitted it has been a “rollercoaster” year, from the high of earning selection for the Six Nations trip to Cardiff to suffering a shoulder injury in the first half of that match which sidelined the Edinburgh man for the rest of the championship.  

He said: “One minute you're starting against Wales and the next minute you're having to get your missus to help put your socks on. That's part of the sport. It was tough. 

Crosbie's shoulder injury suffered in Cardiff kept him out of the rest of the Six NationsCrosbie's shoulder injury suffered in Cardiff kept him out of the rest of the Six Nations (Image: SNS) “You ride the emotion on the day - working so hard, starting for Scotland, this is what I've worked for, I want to put on a good performance to play the next week, then all of a sudden one knock and your whole mindset completely changes.  

“I've came back better from that. Now I'm just really focused on getting back out there, playing with a thistle on my chest and enjoying what I do.” 

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Having made his Scotland return during the summer tour, and co-captained the side in the win over Canada, a confrontation with the Springboks – and particularly their ‘bomb squad’ bench – seemed ready-made for the abrasive 27-year-old, but Crosbie was overlooked. 

Despite not being involved in that arm-wrestle, or the more comfortable win over Fiji, Crosbie believes Scotland have shown they are on the right path over the past fortnight.   

He said: “There's loads of positives from that game. We've done loads of great things, so it's just building on that and taking it into the game coming this week. 

"I'm working hard and just want that green light to be running out at Murrayfield again.” 

Luke Crosbie may get his first opportunity of the autumn against Portugal this weekendLuke Crosbie may get his first opportunity of the autumn against Portugal this weekend (Image: SNS)

Jack Dempsey’s injury is likely to mean a back-row reshuffle for the visit of Australia next weekend, and Crosbie knows a big performance against Portugal, both on a personal and collective front, would do his cause no harm.  

He said: “I think irrelevant of what game it is, everyone wants to keep playing for Scotland. 

“Once you've done it [played for Scotland] once, you just want to keep playing. It's definitely a big test at the weekend. We're just aiming everything towards that.  

“I'm just focused on doing my thing. Whatever happens, if I get a chance, I'll grab it with both hands and get out there and not waste any opportunity I've got.” 

Portugal proved at last year’s Rugby World Cup they can pose a serious challenge to top-level international sides, having beaten Fiji, drawn with Georgia and made competitive contests of matches with Wales and Australia.  

Crosbie is relishing the physical battle against Portugal, coached by former All Black Simon Mannix.  

“That's why I play the game. A back row's job is to tackle and carry hard. So that's what I'm picked for on the team and that's what I want to get back out there and get doing. 

“Any kind of physical test is something that gets me up for the game. 

“I want to go out there and impose myself and make collisions, slow the ball up and give energy to the team as well.  

“To be playing on one of the best teams like Scotland, you need to know exactly why you're picked, why Gregor picked you on the team and make sure you're doing your job, and if everyone else does their own job, that's when you get a good performance as a collective.” 

Tomas Appleton in action for Portugal against Georgia during the Rugby Europe ChampionshipTomas Appleton in action for Portugal against Georgia during the Rugby Europe Championship (Image: Getty Images) Asked specifically about the dangers the 15th-ranked team in the world pose to Scotland this weekend, Crosbie said: “They have the threats, looking at some of their stuff. 

“They've got physical players and a good skill set. In terms of the way they play, they're happy shipping the ball about. So we're going to need to make sure that we're on it, make sure we're set and taking it to them physically as well. 

“Some of their stuff is really good and can put us under pressure, so we need to make sure we're going out there and performing to the best of our ability to make sure we're getting a good performance at Murrayfield and a solid result.” 

But Crosbie said a lot of the focus in the lead-up to Saturday’s game, for which more than 10,000 tickets are still available, will be on how Scotland can impose themselves on the match.  

“For us to implement our best game, we need to focus on ourselves,” the Livingston-born back-row declared.  

“Even against South Africa, you're doing a bit of analysis, but you need to focus on yourself and what you're good at and be aware of the threats that they can bring. 

“If we want to go out there and impose ourselves on the opposition, like we want to do in this test series, then make sure we get a good result and perform to our capabilities as a team.  

“And as an individual, you want to make sure you're performing to the best of your ability.”