And although Scotland's front-row set-up is relatively settled at the moment, with club-mate Allan Jacobsen and likely Lions tourist Euan Murray in the prop positions, Cross is eager to win his first cap.

The man from Gala said: “I am pleased to be given another opportunity to work at international level with the Scotland squad.

“I am planning on taking that opportunity and working towards winning my first cap.

“This has been a good season for me. The important thing for me to do is to keep pressing forward with my game understanding and improving upon that.

“So far my Edinburgh objective has gone according to plan and with Scotland it is heading in the right direction.”