Scott Lawson says he never gave up hope of a Scotland recall after being named in Gregor Townsend’s NatWest 6 Nations squad.

At 36, Lawson could have been forgiven for giving up hope of an international return after almost four years in the wilderness, but he has been offered a fresh chance due to a front row injury crisis.

George Turner’s injury on Saturday provided a fresh blow to Townsend, who now has three hookers unavailable through injury in Ross Ford, Fraser Brown and Turner, but Lawson thinks his performances at club level for Newcastle have merited his inclusion.

When asked if he thought he had been close to selection, he explained: “You always look out for it. The competitor in you wants to keep playing and when you pull on the jersey, you do it to play for Scotland.”

He added: “You always keep an eye on things. Playing at Newcastle, playing in the Premiership in a very successful team, you’re always working hard and trying to play at as high a level as possible.

“There have been a couple of key figures injured and you hold out hope and hope the performances you’ve put in over the past few years have been noted.

“That’s the most pleasing thing for me, that I have been playing well and been selected.”

Lawson, along with Neil Cochrane who was called into the squad as a replacement for Turner on Monday, will have a senior role in the squad as two of the more experienced players, but he is not going to settle for a role on the sidelines in the coming weeks.

“I have been selected because of my performances for Newcastle and have been deemed good enough to play international rugby, so that’s why I’m here,” he said.

“But it’s also about helping the group and individuals within the group get better. Everybody can do that in different ways.

“I am looking to call on all the experience I’ve gathered throughout the years but we can all learn off each other.”

Lawson joins a squad that has set their sights high after an impressive autumn, which saw them beat Australia and run New Zealand close and he is excited to join a group of players high on confidence.

“Results speak for themselves from the autumn,” he said. “From what Verne (Cotter) did, Gregor has moved the team on with the autumn results.

“There are some new faces so for me personally I am just delighted to be back and it’s an exciting time.”