When you dare to suggest today’s Scotland team facing South Africa are not at full strength, Gordon Reid might in some ways agree with you.
But the loose-head prop making his first appearance at St James’ Park in this Rugby World Cup has made a career out of proving people wrong and punching well above his weight, and he’s not about to stop now.
So while people talk about rotation and preserving the fitness of other players, or simply suggest that Scotland are keeping their powder dry for Samoa next week, they’ll have to go through a proper product of Scottish club rugby who will simply never say die.
“Getting to here, I’ve always worked,” he said. “I’ve never been the best player but I’ve always stuck at it, if someone’s better than me then it’s always about workrate, just keep on going.
“I’m maybe not the best technique player there is but I’ll keep going, I won’t back off, I’m that type of player. It’s more about mental strength than anything else.”
Reid, a late developer and a compelling answer to those who suggest Scotland don’t look for native talent from the grassroots of the domestic game, knows there are players out there more gifted than he, because he’s met them in his long climb from the Ayr 2nd XV all the way to the Rugby World Cup.
“There has been situations coming through where there’s been people starting ahead of me, it’s always been that way,” he said.
“But I don’t want someone to get injured. I’d rather fight for my position in the team, in the squad. “There will be times I’ll be against a guy who’ll get one over on me but there’s always the next scrum, the next breakdown, the next contact, so I’ll work my hardest to get better and beat him there.”
Reid admits to great emotions hearing the anthem and playing for Scotland, but he doesn’t let that get out of control either.
“Just sitting in the stands the anthem gives you goosebumps, so just imagine what it is like on the pitch and all eyes on you,” he said.
“You’re just buzzing and it lights a fire inside you. It can make a standard player, a guy who is maybe not all that good, awesome.
“You get a huge buzz, but it doesn’t make you go out and do something stupid. Discipline, Vern’s on about it all the time and although you’re buzzing you’re still thinking the whole time about your basics and all the stuff you have to do.
“It’s not about diving into rucks or too early, it’s about keeping your head and using that extra bit of strength it gives you.”
Reid personifies the squad mentality that Scotland are relying so heavily on with three games in the first ten days, and he thrives on that.
“It’s like the rest of the squad are your family,” he said. “They annoy you sometimes and you feel like punching them but you’ll punch and kick for them too.
“You stand for your team mates and you’ve got each others’ backs.
“I saw Big Jim Hamilton wearing the #asone shirt on twitter yesterday, he’s still part of it. Ryan Grant’s not in this week but he’s there all the time, encouraging me, asking whatever I need.”
Reid did fear after not featuring in the first two games that he might not get his chance to play in this Rugby World Cup.
“I’m not going to lie, it was always in my head,” he said. “But you can’t get uptight, you have to be there for the team. There’s hundreds and thousands of people who would kill to be in my position. “Last week I was down and I was annoyed, but you just have to get through it and pray you can get your chance.
“Me and Sam Hidalgo-Clyne were in the same boat, and we helped each other. If I got uptight he was always there to say, just calm down, we’ll get there, we’re working together. And I was the same to him when he felt like that.”