“Just chill out, play and enjoy it” – Young finding his flow ahead of Gloucester

For second-row Glen Young, it’s an opportunity to continue a resurgent run of form that has seen him become a vital cog in the engine room once again.

After a frustrating 18-month period hampered by injury, Young is finally finding his rhythm. With four consecutive starts under his belt, the Borderer is playing with a level of composure and confidence that suggests he is back to his very best.

“Before I got injured in the summer, I was in a similar position where I was playing lots,” Young reflects.

“But then coming back from those injuries, I was kind of over-trying to get back to previous form. Now I’ve just had a look at it and thought, ‘just chill out, just play and enjoy it’ to take that pressure off. It has been good to just get some game time and once you get into the flow of it again, it’s been really enjoyable.”

That enjoyment is translating into performance. Young’s presence has been a calming influence in the tight, something his teammates have certainly noticed – even if they show their appreciation in slightly unusual ways. Teammate Harri Morris recently joked about Young’s veteran status in the squad:

“I think it’s because he’s from the Borders and he looks after the Borders lads! I’m a bit like his dad – he always calls me dad because I’m a bit older than him.”

Last weekend’s gritty victory over Benetton was a testament to Young’s adaptability. When Grant Gilchrist was a late withdrawal, Young had to shift roles and responsibilities on the fly.

“Gilcho had been a bit touch and go,” Young explains. “He hadn’t trained on the Thursday so Callum [Hunter-Hill] and I had done quite a lot of the reps and had that training session together, so that took the pressure off a little bit.

“But it’s one thing we’ve talked about. You have to be ready to come in and fill in positions. I was meant to be starting as the four lock and started as the five instead.

“It’s just the lineout calling side really. Obviously Gilcho was calling and then I then got to do the calling, but it’s not too much difference. You have to be prepared and know the positions you’re likely to play – four and five  – and I always learn six as well, just in case.”

Young on the rampage against Benetton.

Focus now shifts to the Investec Champions Cup and the arrival of Gloucester. After a mixed bag in Europe so far, Young knows the importance of making Hive Stadium a fortress on a Friday night.

“The boys are buzzing to be back at the Hive this weekend. It’s been a while since we played here. Obviously we had the 1872 Cup at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, but it’s always special playing here on a Friday night.

“We’ve played Gloucester in the past and it’s always a good atmosphere. These big European games are always really good fun to play in. It’s important that we really target the win in these home games if we want to kick on.”

Having spent years in the English Premiership, Young is well-acquainted with the Cherry and Whites and their vocal traveling support.

“I’ve played at Kingsholm a few times. They’re good fans, the Gloucester fans, they give it to you, but I like a bit of hostility. You lift your performance when you’re getting egged on, so hopefully they bring up some loud fans this week and our fans react to that and it makes for a good atmosphere.”

While Young’s immediate focus is firmly on the pitch, he has recently been proactive about his future, spending time with a renewable energy firm. Ironically, planning for life after rugby has helped him perform better in the present.

“It’s about coming up with that plan for when you finish. You want to keep playing and my body feels good enough to keep playing, but it’s just being as prepared as I can. The more stuff like that I do, the more pressure it takes off having to perform, it just means you can enjoy it.

“I targeted renewable energy as an area I wanted to get into. It was enjoyable. Most of the time off I get from here, I’ll continue to try to do more stuff like that and just try to develop myself personally.”

As for a potential Scotland recall? Young is keeping his feet on the ground.

“All I’m focused on at the minute is just playing here and playing well. Anything that comes on top of that is a bonus. I’m just going to enjoy every game I play as it comes.”