Edinburgh flanker Alan MacDonald is convinced this will be the season he can force his way into the Scotland team and win his first cap.

The 23-year-old joined-up with 43 other elite players in St Andrews on Monday who are all hoping to make an impression on new coach Andy Robinson in his first Scotland training camp.

But MacDonald – who won Edinburgh’s player of the year award last season – knows he is not pulling on the jersey yet and that there is a lot of hard work still to come.

“I know I won’t be judged on the performances of last season,” he said. “A rugby player is only ever as good as his last display.

“This time around I am determined to raise the bar even higher than I set it last season and hopefully I can make the step-up.

“Last season has been put to bed now and I’m focusing all my energy on doing well for Edinburgh this year – the rest will take care of itself.”