He admits he was not unhappy to see the back of the Glasgow coaching team, Kiwi Searancke and Steve Anderson after his international career hit the skids after just two caps.
"It's just brilliant to be in a Scotland team again," he said. "It's a great honour to get my third cap, but to be honest I just can't believe I'm here, starting again after the big dipper of a season I had. When I came back from the North America tour last summer, having played in both Test matches, I expected to walk back into the Glasgow team, but it never happened and that was disappointing.
"I don't accept responsibility for that, because I was just the same as I'd been when I was picked for Scotland. I always enjoy my rugby, and training, but I don’t know what happened with the coaches.
"Obviously, they just felt I wasn’t good enough to play, and that's their view so fair enough. But, we didn't do well, and once I came back I feel I contributed just as much, if not more, than others in my position."
"But the positive side is that I've come through it stronger mentally and physically. That was the first time something like that had ever happened to me, so I had to deal with it, work harder and come through it."