Donnie looked set for selection for Scotland's World Cup campaign but the coaches opted to take one specialist openside, Andrew Mower, who was injured before playing a game. Instead of calling up another genuine openside, Scotland turned to Cammy Mather, Donnie's skipper at Glasgow and a traditional blindside wing-forward.
In today's Scotsman Donnie talks about his disappointment at missing out on a World Cup place but claims he's determind to be there for the next one.
"That was obviously frustrating," sighed Donnie. "I was playing 7 for Glasgow and Cammy was playing 6. I even spoke to other players, but there was nothing I could have done differently other than to try my best and try to improve all the time. There's no doubt missing out on the World Cup was the biggest disappointment I've had.
"On this tour I've been rooming with guys like Andy Henderson and they had a fantastic experience. Hopefully, I will still be around when the next World Cup comes by."
Donnie is also proving his 5ft 10in size is no obstacle to top class rugby, and needs only point to Australia's George Smith and Phil Waugh for evidence.
"Coaches are always looking to find the best balance in the back row and there are situations that work to my advantage. There are times when it helps to be my size with a lower centre of gravity.
"To be honest, hearing that doesn't bother me too much. Neil Back and Phil Waugh have shown there is a place for the smaller loose forward in international rugby. The problem for me is you are never going to carry more than one specialist in a squad generally and you are not often going to sit on the bench if you can only play one position.
"It cuts both ways - if the coach likes a specialist 7 it works in your favour, if he doesn't then that's just tough. But this is a big opportunity for me now. I feel a lot more ready, physically and mentally, to play Test rugby than I did when I made my debut two years ago and I can't wait for the next Test."
You can read the article here