Glasgow Warriors forward Adam Ashe has declared himself as "hungry" as he's ever been ahead of his first Scotland start of this year's Six Nations against Ireland.
The 21-year-old made his first appearance of the tournament as a substitute last week against England and now he is in the first XV after fully recovering from a neck injury.
"When you are injured you come back as hungry as you've ever been," he told reporters. "You're not getting to do the thing you love so when you get back to the stage of being fit you can't wait to be back out there and you're as motivated as ever.
"I feel that although I've not played that much rugby, I'm hungry for it and as much as it's a physical thing, fitness wise, it's just as much mental. I'm ready to go out there and give everything that I've got."
Ashe will start at flanker for the hosts tomorrow even though he often plays at number-eight for his club Glasgow.
"I'm comfortable playing six or eight," he added. "I was out in New Zealand and I played the majority of my rugby at six so it's a position that I'm familiar with.
"I played six the other week with Glasgow against Munster. It's a slightly different position - you're more involved in the kick chase and more time on the defensive line, but it's something that I enjoy doing so I'm glad to be getting the opportunity there."
Scotland have lost all four games so far in the competition and are trying to avoid the wooden spoon with victory over Ireland, who are one of four sides in with a chance of claiming the overall title.
Pascal Lemesre
