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Ali Price feels his enhanced maturity has helped him respond positively to the frustration of losing his status as Scotland\u2019s first-choice scrum-half in the lead-up to the World Cup.<\/p>\n
The 30-year-old had made the number nine jersey his own for three years from the start of 2020 to the end of 2022, a period that incorporated a call-up to the British and Irish Lions squad in 2021.<\/p>\n
However, Price was dropped at the start of this year\u2019s Six Nations, with the burgeoning Ben White taking his place. He is now effectively vying with his on-form Glasgow colleague George Horne for a place on the bench.<\/p>\n
Price admits such a scenario would have \u201ceaten him up inside\u201d a few years back and caused him to react in an unconstructive manner but he has been able to take a more philosophical view on it and is at peace with the situation.<\/p>\n
Asked if he had been able to enjoy the World Cup, despite starting only one of the three matches \u2013 Saturday\u2019s victory over Pool B minnows Romania \u2013 Price said: \u201cYeah, I really have actually.<\/p>\n
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\u201cFrom four years ago, getting injured in the first game and going home, I\u2019ve matured as a person in my outlook.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis situation a few years ago would have eaten me up inside. I\u2019d have probably been negative about decisions or selection issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt times you have to accept that there are good players playing well in your position. It can happen and other guys take their opportunities and you have to bide your time.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that\u2019s the kind of realisation I\u2019ve come to, the bigger picture. All I can do is focus on myself and get myself to where I want to be.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe that when I\u2019m at my best, I give the coach the hardest challenge of whether to select me or not and that\u2019s all I can control.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s my outlook and it has been for the last couple of years. It means I enjoy it more. I\u2019m doing what I love, I\u2019m with a group of boys I get on with really well.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the bonus at the end of the week, being selected, but at the same time if I\u2019m not, I\u2019m contributing to those guys going out there and doing the best for the team and that\u2019ll get us the results we need to progress.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I\u2019ve matured in that way in terms of disappointment at not playing when I\u2019d like to be.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite losing his Scotland place, Price feels he is now back \u201cin a good spot\u201d in terms of his overall game and mindset.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been frustrating at times, don\u2019t get me wrong,\u201d he said. \u201cEveryone wants to play but I feel that during the Six Nations there was maybe a bit of a turning point for me in terms of seeing progress in myself in training.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was fit, I was healthy and I was making the most of the opportunities I had on the field.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe starts have maybe been less than I would have liked or what I had previously but I feel any time I\u2019ve had on the pitch and in training, I\u2019ve got myself slowly back to a place where I\u2019m happy with how I\u2019m performing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe game at the weekend was a lot of fun, I think how I facilitated the game and put others into space is one of my strengths. I really enjoyed the team performance we had. I was happy with how it went and I\u2019m in a good spot.\u201d<\/p>\n
Price is desperate to get the chance to add to his 65 caps by having some involvement in Saturday\u2019s showdown with Ireland in Paris.<\/p>\n
The Scots must get a bonus-point win or deny the world\u2019s top-ranked side a losing bonus in order to reach the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s huge,\u201d said the scrum-half. \u201cIt would be one of the biggest games of my career if I was given the opportunity to play.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI\u2019ve not had as many minutes as I would have liked to have had this year but I think every chance I\u2019ve had, I\u2019ve shown what I can do.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve steadily got myself back to where I want to be as a player. It\u2019s a big training week and what will be will be, but everyone is sticking their hand up.\u201d<\/p>\n