Matt Fagerson believes this is "hugely exciting" time for Scotland

“He is fantastic,” he said. “Throughout his career he has pulled these spectacular moments out of the bag when we needed them.

“In the last two or three years he has added so much to his game and he provides so much to the team on and off the pitch.

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“He is a big voice here, very knowledgeable and he speaks well in meetings and on the pitch.

“Watching the France game back, his defence was phenomenal. He put his body on the line quite a bit as well.

“He is a huge part of the team and we are incredibly proud of him to be getting the 100th cap.”

Matt Fagerson Photo PA Wire (Image: PA Wire)

With a World Cup in France to come later this year, 24-year-old Fagerson feels like the Scots are in the midst of an exhilarating period under Gregor Townsend.

“Gregor spoke at the beginning of the season when we were coming into the autumn that we had such a big campaign over the next 18 months,” explained the Glasgow number eight.

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“This group has been together for quite a while. We’ve had people coming in and out, but the core has stayed.

“When you build these connections you feel so in tune with each other.

Everyone’s getting on so well and we have a great environment and that’s down to the coaching group and staff and what the boys bring to the table as well. It is a hugely exciting period for us.

“I think it is probably the biggest game I’ll have played for Scotland. But we aren’t looking too far ahead, you can’t be thinking about Championships or what the permutations are.

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“We’ve got the world number one team coming to Murrayfield and that’s all our focus is on. It’s managing what they have to bring and what we bring as well.

“It is a huge challenge for us and one that this squad is really excited to go up against.”