Fraser Brown is set to win his 50th cap for Scotland in this weekend’s Guinness Six Nations clash against France – something the Scot never thought would happen.
The hooker will become just the 43rd person to reach the landmark for Scotland if he features at BT Murrayfield on Saturday.
Since he made his debut in 2013, the Edinburgh-born forward has appeared in five Guinness Six Nations championships and two World Cups, scoring three tries.
“I think it becomes more special,” said Brown. “Getting capped is something I always wanted to do and in 2010, 2011, I never thought I would have that chance – so getting that first cap in 2013 meant that I could always say I’d played for Scotland.
“To be able to say I’ve done it 50 times is just something else. It sounds daft, but I reckon it took until I’d won about 30 caps until I realised just what it meant. I love travelling to games, seeing the supporters, soaking it all in and then all the stuff that comes after the game as well.”
While Brown is better known as a member of the front row, his versatility has seen him play for Scotland at the back of the scrum, featuring a number of times on the flank, including twice at last year’s World Cup.
And the 30-year-old acknowledged that representing your country is the “greatest thing you can do as a rugby player”.
He continued: “I get quite emotional before a game and I appreciate it more now than I ever could before. You know as you get older that it could be your last opportunity in the shirt.
“I’m yet to meet a guy who hasn’t given their absolute all when having the opportunity to represent Scotland.
“It’s an amazing feeling and it’s something my family are very proud of. My Grandad was a trialist I think, my brother was a better player than I am but got some worse injuries than I did; Dad was a good player but went down the farming route.
“So I’m immensely proud and hopefully I’ve had one or two decent games during the previous 49!”
