Prop Jon Welsh is confident a depleted Scotland front row can compete with Wales when the Six Nations kicks off.
The 31-year-old was named in Gregor Townsend's starting XV to travel to Cardiff for Scotland's Six Nations opener on Saturday, more than two years since his last appearance on the international stage.
Welsh has been out of the reckoning since last playing for the Dark Blues in the 2015 Rugby World Cup defeat to Australia, but has been included after a succession of injuries to his front row rivals.
WP Nel, Al Dickinson, Zander Fagerson and Darryl Marfo are among those who will be missing this weekend, prompting concerns over how Scotland would cope against Wales' scrum, but Welsh is ignoring the detractors.
"I have my own job to do and focus on," he said. "I am confident, I have played with Gordon Reid for years, played against and with Rambo (Stuart McInally) for years as well."
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"When you come in there is a demand to perform and train well, and if you're not you will definitely get told about it."
It is arguable that Welsh would not have got this opportunity to resume his international career - along with Scott Lawson who is on the bench - had it not been for the injuries that have struck Townsend's squad, but the Newcastle forward says he never gave up hope of a recall.
"It's a massive honour to be picked to start and it's great to be back in," he said.
"I don't think your desire to play for Scotland ever goes away. I just kept training and have been lucky enough to be given another shot."
