NO longer does Scott Cummings feel like the new kid on the block when it comes to the international side.

Cummings made his international debut last summer, in the warm-up matches for the World Cup and he admits that throughout that World Cup campaign, he still felt like he was a new face in the squad. However this year, he is feeling far more settled and two starts in the first two matches of the Six Nations has done his confidence the world of good.

“I feel that I’m starting to be less of (the new kid),” the 23-year-old said.

“Going into the World Cup, it felt a bit like I was in there as the new guy. Now that I’ve started the first two games (this tournament), I feel more embedded in the squad.”

This time last year, Cummings was uncapped whereas now, he has accumulated ten international appearances, with another on its way against Italy tomorrow after being named in Gregor Townsend’s starting fifteen for the fixture in Rome. And in light of Jonny Gray’s withdrawal from the squad due to a hand injury incurred during the Calcutta Cup defeat to England almost two weeks ago, Cummings has the opportunity to really establish himself in Townsend’s side in the coming weeks.

Gray’s absence means that the line-out calls will now become Cummings’ job and while it is quite a responsibility, it is one he is embracing.

“We have all been practising a bit of calling,” the Glasgow Warriors second row said.

“It’s something I’ve been doing at Glasgow for years so to get the opportunity at the weekend would be great.

“I think I called my first pro game at Glasgow almost as soon as I made my debut. I’ve always loved calling; it’s a part of the game I’ve always enjoyed.”

Scotland’s line-out may be a pivotal part of the game in the Stadio Olympico, with an improvement on the line-out against England a necessity. Countless errors, albeit many were as a result of the abominable weather conditions, allowed England to gain the upper-hand and the same cannot be allowed to happen against Italy.

However, Cummings is confident there will be a marked improvement.

“It was a tough game (against England) and it wasn’t our best day at the office by any means,” he said.

“That’s something we’ve worked on a lot this week and we’ve changed a couple of things, a couple of processes that didn’t work for us. We’re just looking to make sure we’re better prepared this week.

“The weather did come into play with it, but as a team we knew we could have prepared for that better. We could have done more beforehand to make sure we had a couple more wet weather options.

“It has been about stripping it back and having a bit of pace in the lineout. Also it’s about backing yourselves and trusting that the processes will be better than the opposition’s. It’s hard to defend lineouts, but if you do a lot of complex stuff it can become easier because you get messed up. Backing yourselves and backing the calls is the important thing we have to do this week.”

This will be Cummings first time facing Italy but his experience in the Pro14 for Glasgow ensures he fears no one.

He is well aware of what to expect tomorrow, and despite Franco Smith’s side being winless so far this campaign, Cummings knows the threat they pose.

“I’ve played everyone in the PRO14 and that was one of the things going into Ireland, it’s a massive game but you take confidence from the fact that you’ve played all of these guys before in all the club games. It’s just the same guys in a different jersey, playing a slightly different way,” he said.

“That’s maybe simplifying it a wee bit but we’ve played most of Italy’s guys before and we know what they’re going to do. They’re going to bring a great attacking style of rugby and we’ll be ready for that.

“It’s going to be a massive game. They’ve been playing well.

“They have an amazing style of play, offloading in the wide channels, and we’re excited to play them. It’s going to be a massive game but we’re ready for it.

“Our plan for every game is to get on top at the start. We’re a team who pride ourselves on playing one of the quickest brands of rugby there is so we want to start fast and you saw that against Ireland – the first 10 minutes, we played really well and got into our shape well. We’ll be looking to do that early on.”

That Cummings has made himself an almost certain starter so early in his international career says a lot for the 23-year-old. And while Townsend was never in doubt of his talent, the head coach admits he has been pleasantly surprised at how comfortable Cummings has been in the international environment.

“He took to international rugby quicker and better than we expected last year,” the head coach said.

“He showed up well for Glasgow in the final months of last season, he was up against some very good and experienced second rows.

“He did well in the World Cup, he added an edge with his line-out ability and his running ability.

“He is a potential leader and he’s calling the line-outs this week. Scott cares a lot about international rugby.

“He always gives his best when he gets an opportunity. He has the ability to run hard at defences.”