The China Mail - 'Refreshed' Darge ready to lead Scotland against France in Six Nations

The 23-year-old flanker has been out of action since suffering knee ligament damage playing for Glasgow against Edinburgh on December 30.

Darge was still named as co-captain, together with Finn Russell, by Scotland coach Gregor Townsend last month.

But it was only fly-half Russell who featured in Scotland's dramatic tournament-opening win away to Wales last week, when the Scots surged into a 27-0 lead only to have to cling on to win 27-26.

Darge has now been restored to the back-row at the expense of Jamie Ritchie, with the former Scotland captain left out of the matchday 23.

Openside flanker Darge told a pre-match press conference on Friday that he was raring to go after his enforced break.

"It's not a complete break because I've been working hard in the gym and rehabbing but compared to the physical and mental toll of playing rugby every week, I just feel fresh and I'm really looking forward to playing."

Darge has skippered Scotland once before, in a World Cup warm-up match at home to Italy in July. But this weekend's Edinburgh encounter with France will be the first occasion he has shared the honour with Russell.

Saturday's match will be just Darge's fourth start in the Six Nations after he missed last season's tournament through injury.

His first Championship start was at home to France two years ago, when he scored a try in a 36-17 defeat.

"I remember the anthems, that was a goosebump moment being my first Scotland start and first game at Murrayfield," said Darge. "Then the try, in terms of moments that is probably right up there in my career.

"I don't score many tries, it's not a massive part of my game, but to score in front of a home crowd and my family was really special."

Having watched from the stands in Cardiff, the skipper now wants to play his part in defeating France, a scenario that would leave Scotland right in the hunt for the title.

"That's what we're going out to try and do," said Darge. "It's going to take a lot physically. We can't really look further than Saturday. I know that's the easy answer, but it's true.

"After that, it would be massively exciting (the possibility of competing for the title), but we really have to concentrate on Saturday."

R.Yeung--ThChM