For a player used to being in the thick of the action in the midfield, a return to action as a second half replacement on the wing might once have been a gentle reintroduction. Not so, according to Edinburgh’s international centre Mark Bennett.
“The first play when I came on I had two ball carries, two kick chases and I think I had three ruck clears, so I was blowing after that, but it was a nice way to get back into it,” he observed wryly.
Now 26, the Ayrshireman was the most prized talent of his generation when he first emerged, attracting even more attention than his fellow prodigy Stuart Hogg, leading to a deal as a teenager with Vern Cotter’s Clermont Auvergne.
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Two vicious knee injuries followed by a hamstring tear suffered at the start of this season have, however, so restricted him that he has won less than a third of the number of caps that the two-time British & Irish Lion has acquired since they were lining up together in the Scotland under-20s.He has learned to be philosophical, though and smiles at the suggestion that the devastating nature of the damage he has done on each of those occasions, reflects the committed way he attacks his job.
“You could put it that way,” Bennett replied. “It’s just an occupational hazard. It’s a stupid sport. The ACL (knee) was just a freak injury and then I just got caught in a bad position against Ulster (in September), so these things happen.
"It has been tough, but I just want to get back and get on a run of games and find a bit of form again.If you look at the injuries I’ve had I’ve never been out for three or four weeks. I’m either fully fit or really not. It’s just been unfortunate that’s the way it’s been and touch wood that’ll be it behind me.”
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The most recent evidence provided by the way Magnus Bradbury returned to action after a lengthy lay-off offers encouragement that he ought to be immediately ready to get back to his best, such is the nature of modern rugby rehab.
“I feel good,” said Bennett. “I worked very closely with Luke Vella our strength and conditioning coach with the injured players and with Andrew Hay, who’s our physio. They’ve been outstanding and have brought us back in great condition. Obviously with Magnus coming back and I thought Damian (Hoyland, another long term absentee) played well at the weekend as well, we’re fit, we’re strong and we’re raring to go.”
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