Logan feared his number was up

13 April 2012

Kenny Logan joins Scotland's 50-cap club on Sunday and admits there were times when the odds were stacked against him achieving that ambition.

At 28, the Wasps winger becomes the 13th Scot to reach the half-century and he will be given the honour of leading his team out in Paris as they open their Six Nations campaign against second favourites France.

With the added responsibility of goalkicking, it is a far cry from his situation 12 months ago when he was part of a side which slumped to defeat in Italy and followed that with reverses against Ireland and France.

Though Logan improved marginally, his performances were way below coach Ian McGeechan's expectations and he was dropped for the final two matches. Stranded on 48 caps, it looked as though Logan would remain an outcast.

'I am a fairly confident person and I knew I had the capability to bounce back,' he said. 'But the older you get, the harder it is.

'I spoke to Ian McGeechan at the end of last season and he told me I had to work harder. I am more focused now, got over a couple of injuries and Sunday's a chance to prove myself again.'

Although a high-profile relationship with his fiancee, television sports presenter Gabby Yorath, could be seen as a distraction for Logan, the Stir-ling-born player believes it has made him more mature.

Logan says he has become more aware of where his energy should be channelled and the areas of his game which he needs to improve.

He said: 'My upper body strength is a lot higher now. I don't miss as many tackles.

'In the modern game, wingers are expected to turn up in all sorts of unexpected positions so I've had to adapt my performance and ensure I am working for the good of the team.' After missing the summer tour to New Zealand, Logan was recalled for a 31-8 win over Samoa in November. Gregor Townsend was given goalkicking duties that day but now Logan takes over.

'Ian McGeechan is never going to pick me just as a goalkicker but I am pleased to have the duty and hopefully I will produce a good performance,' said Logan.

This is how the teams will line up for Sunday's Six Nations match between Scotland and France in Paris.

SCOTLAND: C Paterson; C Murray (Edinburgh Reivers), J McClaren (Glasgow Caledonians), J Leslie (Northampton), K Logan (Wasps); G Townsend (Castres), A Nicol (Glasgow C, capt); T Smith (Brive), G Bulloch (Glasgow C), M Stewart (Northampton), S Murray (Saracens), R Metcalfe, M Leslie (Edinburgh R), B Pountney, J Petrie (Glasgow C).
Replacements: R Russell (Saracens), G McIlwham (Glasgow C), S Grimes (Newcastle), J White (Glasgow C), B Redpath (Sale), D Hodge (Edinburgh R), A Bulloch (Glasgow C).

FRANCE: Garbajosa; Bernat-Salles, Comba, Dourthe, Bory; Lamaison, Galthie; Magne, Juillet, Moni, Pelous (capt), Auradou, De Villiers, Ibanez, Marconnet.
Replacements: Azam, Califano, Benazzi, Betsen, Merceron, Dominici, Carbonneau.

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Logan feared his number was up

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