I’d love to play at a packed Pittodrie
Says Scots star Jason White
Published:
SCOTLAND captain Jason White is determined to stay injury-free to finally represent his country at Pittodrie.
White underwent double surgery this summer, having tidy up operations on a shoulder and knee.
The former Cults Academy pupil hopes to be available for selection for his club side Sale’s Premiership opener at Newcastle on September 7.
White, 30, then wants to hit top shape so he can play for Scotland in the Granite City November.
The Scots face New Zealand and South Africa at Murrayfield, before the clash with Canada in Aberdeen.
White, who missed out through injury the last time the national side played in the city, said: “There is massive incentive for me to knuckle down.
“To play the All Blacks at home is the biggest test there is.
“Then to play at Pittodrie in front of all the people from Aberdeen is another huge carrot for me.
“I am sure everyone in Aberdeen is going to buy the tickets and come to support us.
“I would love to play in front of a full crowd at Pittodrie.”
He added: “At Sale, our first Premiership game is away to Newcastle in two weeks, and then we face Saracens at home.
“It’s touch and go whether I will be available for selection for either game.
“My hope for this season is to stay fit as it is really important for me to put together a run of games.”
White knows if he is to feature in the Autumn Tests then first he will need to convince national coach Frank Hadden he is worth a spot in the side.
He said: “I lost my Scotland place for a little bit at the end of last season when I was concussed.
“Alasdair Strokosch came in and did really well.
“I need to fight to get my place back and to do that I need to play well for Sale.
“I need to concentrate on that first and then hopefully I can get back into the Scotland team.”
British Lion White was in his home city as part of former club Aberdeen Wanderers’ 80th birthday celebrations.
White gave a toast to the club at an anniversary dinner, before putting young kids through their paces in a coaching session.
He said: “Wanderers gave me my first chance to play the game so I owe them a lot. It’s where I learned to love the game.”
