Greig Tonks thankful for chance to play in Scotland's shock win over Australia

Greig Tonks is grateful just to have had the chance to participate in what turned out to be his Scotland career highlight so far against Australia.

Tonks looked set for another summer away from rugby union when he was not selected in Gregor Townsend's first national squad, but he stepped up when Sean Maitland was injured.

Two years away from the Scotland ranks appeared not to matter when the 28-year-old was then picked to face the Wallabies in Sydney, scoring their opening points in a 24-19 victory.

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"It was incredible. As career highlights go, it will definitely be up there. I would say it's the highlight," Tonks said.

"The whole week was incredible. I was not originally going to be on the tour and was then selected quite late.

"To be picked, then to be starting, then to kick some points and go on to win the game against Australia was something pretty special. It has got to be up there."

Tonks slipped out of the international picture after moving to London Irish, with whom he felt the disappointment of relegation in 2015/16 and then the delight of promotion last season.

"I would not say I was worried but with London Irish being relegated I knew it would be difficult, really hard, for them to pick somebody who is playing Championship rugby," Tonks added.

"We have been training like a Premiership team, though, and now we are a Championship-winning team that is back in the Premiership. - that was always the aim.

"I always had it (Scotland) in the back of my mind but my aim was to play my best rugby and then whatever happened happened off the back of it."