Grant Gilchrist: Why landmark cap against Wales would 'mean the world' to Scotland second row

Saturday is likely to be a very special day for Scotland second row Grant Gilchrist.

The 31-year-old from Stirling is set to win his 50th cap in the Six Nations match against Wales in Cardiff this weekend, a fitting moment for a lock who has never let his country down.

Gilchrist has had to battle adversity since his debut for Scotland way back in 2013 - he missed a World Cup two years later due to a groin injury which has proved troublesome throughout his career - but, as a co-captain for his club Edinburgh Rugby and clearly valued by current Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend, it would be a surprise if he was to lose his place in the pack for the Welsh encounter despite the competition at second row.

“Obviously I’m waiting to see if I’m selected and, if I am, it’s going to mean the world to me," Gilchrist said on the prospect of racking up his half-century against Wales. "It would be a hugely proud day and something I’ve worked really hard for and I know it would mean so much to my family.

“But it will certainly mean a hell of a lot more if we go down to Wales and get the win and that’ll be my focus if I’m selected.”

Gilchrist's Scotland debut came in a 23-16 defeat away at France nine years ago and he can remember it so clearly.

“You don’t forget your first cap – I remember it quite vividly – 9pm kick-off, a rainy night in Paris," he recalled.

"I was as nervous as I’ve ever been for a game of rugby. It was an amazing experience and although we didn’t come out on the right side of the result, it was a close game, a huge battle and as an introduction to Test rugby, it let me know what it was all about.

“I absolutely loved it and I have strived in every campaign to get myself on the pitch as much as possible. There have