Missing a European final is a tough break for any player and especially when you’re in a country on the other side of the world from what you call home.
Josh McKay was forced to watch from the stands after a foot injury required surgery but he’s now back and playing some excellent rugby for Glasgow Warriors as they face a rematch against their Challenge Cup Final opponents Toulon on Friday night for a place in the next round of the Champions Cup.
It’s been a busy schedule for the Scotstoun club over recent months and McKay is buzzing with how much he’s been able to play after battling back from his injury with some tough months spent working with physios. A trip home to New Zealand helped him clear his mind ahead of the new season and he’s been a regular since making his comeback in pre-season.
A place in the last 16 would be a good reward for the versatile back and although he’s looking forward to a short break during the Six Nations, he’s buzzing to get so many minutes under his belt.
READ MORE: Scotland squad for 2024 Six Nations campaign announced
McKay said: “It’s been a pretty big block since we started other than the week off after the second Edinburgh game. We’ve pretty much been bang, bang, bang every other week but it’s been good to play plenty of minutes. That’s why I’m here, you want to play when you’re fit but it’ll be nice to have a bit of downtime.
“I got injured last season and had surgery and was out for seven months so the timing worked that I was fit for the second pre-season game. From as soon as I was injured I was looking forward to this because I knew I wouldn’t play a part last season apart from supporting the boys. To come back and be able to play to a decent level was the most pleasing thing. You want to be playing every week and it sucks when you’re injured.
“I managed to get home for three weeks which was good. It’s a massive credit to the physios because I thought I’d have to stay here the whole time and rehab but they were awesome with handling me. Got away to Italy as well to see a bit of sun so it was no good being injured but massive credit to the physios, they handled it. It was good to get back home to New Zealand and see a bit of sun because it would have been a bit of a slog doing the whole off season just grafting here. It’s kept me fresh for this season.”
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