Duncan Weir says he can’t wait to show what he can do as Scotland’s premier fly-half, as he prepares for the inaugural Autumn Nations Cup.
The Worcester Warriors ace was left out of Gregor Townsend’s initial squad but injuries to Finn Russell and Adam Hastings have meant the keys to the No.10 jersey appear to be his.
Weir has struggled for gametime under Townsend, making just one appearance in the last three years because of Russell’s excellent form and Hastings’ emergence.
But the 29-year-old is confident he can produce his best in the next four weeks, starting with Saturday’s trip to face Italy, because of a new approach.
“I drove myself to get excellence in every aspect of my game and owned things a wee bit too much and tried to force the envelope and push the boundaries a bit too much,” he said.
“I’m still preparing the same, but when I’m on the field I’m a bit more relaxed and I’m trying to let my hair down a wee bit and express myself in my best light.
“I’ve let the reins down a wee bit over the last couple of seasons and I feel like I’ve played my best rugby on the back of that.”
Townsend agrees Weir is in form and the Scotland head coach – although coy on whether he will pick the playmaker to start – is backing him to perform.
“Duncy is playing the best rugby of his career,” he said.
“I have worked with him for a long time and it has been really encouraging to see how well he has played pre-and post-lockdown. There is a calmness about the way he plays.
“The way they play at Worcester is not dissimilar to what we want to do moving the ball. He has really improved in that area and he still has that very good all-round kicking ability. He will work hard and defend well so this could be a big opportunity for him with those two injuries. I’m sure he will be doing all he can to grab it.”
