CENTURION hooker Ross Ford never took his Scotland place for granted even when he was a guaranteed starter.

And the veteran forward insists is not about to start doing so now that he has has a fight on his hands for a slot in Vern Cotter’s line-up.

Ford – a front-row mainstay for more than a decade – was forced to settle for an unfamiliar seat on the bench as the Dark Blues kicked off their RBS 6 Nations campaign at home to Ireland on Saturday, with Fraser Brown given the nod to start against Joe Schmidt’s men.

But Ford did not have to wait long to collect his 104th international cap as Brown went off with a facial injury, coming on as a fourth-minute blood replacement before the switch was made permanent on the half-hour mark.

His experience proved vital, however, as Scotland held off a second-half fight back from the Irish to claim a 27-22 win.

The Scots now travel to Paris to face France on Sunday and Ford is keeping his fingers crossed he can play a part against Les Bleus.

But the 32-year-old conceded: “You always want to start but it’s about what’s best for the team. I wanted to come on and make an impact against Ireland and did that.

“This squad’s players are very competitive, so even if you start on the bench then you know you’re going to come on and add to the team. In the end, it’s all about winning the game.

“It was different being on the bench. I wasn’t as nervous at the start of the game as there was time to bed in.

“It’s just something you adapt to and get on with.

“I said in the autumn that we had Fraser and Rambo [Stuart McInally] pushing hard now so that competition’s there now. You just need to make sure that when you get that chance, you take it.

“I have never taken my place for granted.”

Meanwhile, Wales assistant coach Shaun Edwards has described Eddie Jones as “great for rugby” ahead of Wales’ RBS 6 Nations showdown with England in Cardiff.

On Saturday in the Welsh capital the hosts can stop reigning Six Nations champions England claiming an impressive 16th successive win against all opponents.

But England boss Jones claimed earlier this week that he does not understand why England have appeared “petrified” of playing Wales away from home.

Edwards said: “I think that is just another way of Eddie throwing down a challenge to his players.

“It’s smart coaching. He is a clever bloke is Eddie. It’s great for the game. You want characters in the game.”