It was only to be expected that Mark Bennett would feel star struck when he joined up with the Galacticos of Clermont Auvergne three years ago, but his first encounter with the star called Aurelien Rougerie, then only recently returned from helping France make the final of the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, was not exactly what he expected.

"I had done my knee and I was in the gym, just trying to get a bit of upper body work done," Bennett recalls. "I was benching. I had never met him before and he came up and started tickling me. I just about killed myself with the weight, and he just laughed and went away. It was a bit strange. It broke the ice quite quickly."

It was a surreal moment, but if, as expected, Bennett is chosen for Scotland against Argentina next weekend, then national coach Vern Cotter believes that the time the 21-year-old spent at the French club was a critical part of his development into an international player. And Cotter should know. It was he, after all, who signed Bennett for Clermont in the first place.

When the move was confirmed in May 2011, it was interpreted as a disaster for Scottish rugby. Bennett had been hailed as the best young player the country had produced for two decades, his precocious talent confirmed when he was chosen for the Scotland Under-20 side at the age of just 17. Signing for Clermont was seen as a slap in the face for Glasgow Warriors, who had also been keen to get him on their books.

At that time, Clermont were the reigning French champions and Glasgow had just finished second-from-last in what was then the Magners League table. Bennett had actually made a cameo appearance in the Warriors' final game, against Leinster, and a 38-3 thrashing might just have persuaded him that a spot of French leave was the better option. Frankly, it would have been madness to do anything else.

Gregor Townsend has done some clever things with Glasgow Warriors over the past couple of years, but luring Bennett back across the channel might turn out to be the smartest thing of all. The centre's career stalled in France when he suffered his knee injury, but its trajectory improved on home soil after he returned in late 2012. And recently it has gone into the stratosphere.

When Glasgow played Bath two weeks ago, Bennett was the only player in their ranks who had never experienced international rugby. Yet he caught the eye with two marvellous tries and completely outshone Jonathan Joseph and Kyle Eastmond, the two much-hyped England hopefuls in the Bath midfield, as the Warriors won 37-10. Last weekend, he was outstanding again as Townsend's team chalked up a rare win on French soil, beating Montpellier 15-13. Bennett, unquestionably, is the man of the moment.

"I didn't actually realise that," shrugged Bennett when his uncapped distinction against Bath was mentioned. "Nothing was said to me. It's just a case of going out and doing what you can do."

What Bennett can do, and probably better than any Scot around at the moment, is cut holes in an opposition defence. He has the precious ability to get into the right position, to take the ball at speed and to change direction in an instant. When he scores a try, the press box chatter usually concerns how many players he beat on his way to the line. Sometimes you just count the bodies on the floor.

Incredibly, Bennett was left out of the Glasgow side for last May's PRO12 final against Leinster in Dublin. He was also initially omitted from Scotland's summer tour, and although he was subsequently called in for part of the trip, he did not play a game. His focus then switched to the Commonwealth Games sevens, and it was his involvement in that venture that has been his springboard for the new season.

What has made the difference to his game? "A bit of experience and confidence," he replied. "I played and performed really well in the Commonwealth Games, which kind of pushed me on. After that, I kind of had the feeling that I could keep going and use the form. There was a very short turnaround after the Games, it was just straight back into club rugby with Glasgow.

"When I was able to transform that good form from the sevens into the 15s, and then keep it going, it just kept my confidence up. I think everything is down to confidence in the end."

Bennett has not lacked that quality in Glasgow's two European Champions Cup wins so far. His blasting runs at - and through - opposition defences are the work of a player who now backs himself to thrive in exalted company. Under Townsend, he has become a far more assertive individual.

"I feel a lot more confident telling people around me that this is what I want and this is what I'm expecting," Bennett said. "It's the same for everyone in the squad. There is a real high expectation of performance. If you don't reach it the boys will tell you.

"Gregor has been great. He is working with me all the time, not just on the park but off it as well. Analysing the game, he will pull me in and show me what I've done well and what I need to work on. He is really proactive in making sure that we are improving, not just for the club but individually as well."

So did Townsend tell him it was time to step up? "Not in as many words. But I think there was a kind of mutual expectation between us. Nothing was said, but I knew personally, and I think he knew as well, that there was more to come."

Cotter has faith. He first worked with the 18-year-old Bennett on a three-day Clermont boot camp in the French countryside, and although the teenager suffered at first, he stood up to the challenges.

"We did a bike and run and we were carrying him after the first day, but you could see his character and determination," said the coach. "For a young player, away from home, it is a harsh environment. I am a firm believer in getting players early and teaching them exactly what is required to become a professional rugby player. I like to think that bike and run and the three days he spent in the middle of France helped him become the player he is now."

A few Scottish centres have flourished briefly then faded quickly, but Cotter believes Bennett is a different animal, that he could be in line for "50, 60, 100 games".

For the moment, Bennett will be happy with just one. "Playing for my country is something I've wanted to do since I was a kid," he smiled. "I'm one step closer to it being in the squad again, and hopefully in a couple of weeks I'll be able to say I've made my dream."