BLAIR Cowan has had more emotional turmoil to deal with over the past couple of weeks than many players experience over the course of a whole season - and all without playing a game. The openside flanker was omitted from the Scotland squad for the Rugby World Cup, and took a break back home in his native New Zealand to help come to terms with his deep disappointment. Now, however, having been called up to replace the injured Grant Gilchrist, Cowan is back in the camp and ready to take on South Africa on Saturday if required.

Cowan always retained a positive attitude to the squad, as he made clear with a tweet posted on the day his omission became public knowledge. “Thanks to all for the kind messages,” he wrote. “Absolutely devastated after wanting it so badly. But will be there if needed and will be stronger for it.”

But it was tough. He had worked hard to establish himself as Scotland’s first-choice openside flanker, and started every match in the 2014 Autumn Tests and this year’s Six Nations Championship, only to be left out when Vern Cotter decided that he only needed one out-and-out No 7 - and that the man in question should be John Hardie, who only came to Scotland halfway through the training camp.

Some supporters argued that Hardie should not have been parachuted into the squad at all; others that he should not have been chosen as the only man in his position. Some thought Cowan should have gone too; others argued that John Barclay, who enjoyed some outstanding performances for the Scarlets last season, deserved a place.

It was a rolling controversy from which Cowan had to steer clear. If he wanted to be in the right state to play for London Irish, or indeed to add to his 13 caps should he be called up for international duty after all, he had to clear his mind of any thoughts about what might have been.

“It was absolutely devastating,” the 29-year-old admitted when asked how he had felt on being omitted. “But at this level, the World Cup is the mecca and we knew from the word go that 7 was the crunch position, with so much competition at a high level. The margins were fine in selection.

“It took me a bit of time to move on, but I didn’t hold anything against them. You just look at John Hardie’s performance against Japan - I thought he was outstanding.

“I had some time off and went home to see family. That brings you back to earth. It reinforced what I had achieved until then. That was a good way to clear the mind.

“It was definitely worth it to get grounded again and start afresh with the club. I didn’t want to be distant. I wanted to be fresh at London Irish.

“They were really good. They knew where my head space was and they helped me to get back to where I needed to be.”

The other person that helped was Cotter himself, who made two phone calls to Cowan in quick succession: the first to tell him he was out of the squad, the second to talk things over and give the flanker a few things to work on.

“Being involved so much leading up to the World Cup your mind is [on standby],” Cowan continued. “Your brain’s ticking over, thinking ‘Where did I go wrong and what could I have done better?’. But Vern gave me the call, and then another call a few days later to discuss things.

“We’ve always had a good relationship and he’s been open with me. I appreciate that.

“He said what he expected of me if I did come in. He made me aware that opportunities would probably arise, like this, and to be prepared for it.”

Cowan was training with London Irish during Scotland’s game against the United States on Sunday, so only caught highlights on TV after the game. But, at the risk of tormenting, himself, he watched the match four days earlier against Japan, and got an idea through seeing that game and hearing from friends of just how quickly the World Cup had caught the public imagination.

“The Japan game was some battle, especially the first 60 minutes. I’ve had friends posting things comparing the World Cup to the buzz of the Olympics. In London, where I live, you get the feeling that the whole nation is involved. It’s pretty special and amazing for the sport and something you’re desperate to be involved in.

“It’s every kid’s dream as an egg chaser to come to the World Cup. You watch it growing up. You see the magnitude and what it does for the players, the supporters and the countries. To be involved is something special and something everyone would die to do.”