But the Glasgow captain was never likely to lose his place in what emerged as an unchanged line-up for the second autumn international at Murrayfield.

The 28-year-old lock performed solidly enough on his 18th cap against Fiji, a Test match he arguably only started due to an injury to Jim Hamilton.

And with his rival from Edinburgh out for the entire November Test programme, Kellock now has a real opportunity to cement a place in the second row.

“Every chance you get is a massive opportunity and it’s great getting back-to-back games,” Kellock said.

“But you look at them in isolation and try to make sure you go out and give it your absolute all.

“You don’t know how many opportunities you’re going to get to play for your country; each one is huge, and I’m relishing the fact that I’ve got another one tomorrow.”

Kellock correctly recalled he last enjoyed successive starts during the 2006 RBS 6 Nations.

Hamilton and Nathan Hines have been automatic selections at lock in recent times but helping Scotland end a 27-year losing streak against Australia would surely propel Kellock into that category.

He said: “It’ll be an entirely different game this week, an entirely different prospect trying to command your own set-piece against an Australian pack, a good Australian pack.

“We’ve got to take confidence from what’s gone but, at the same time, realise it’ll be a different game entirely.”

He added: “All the players are aware of the history and aware of the length of time it’s been since we beat them.

“We’ve got a good opportunity if we play well tomorrow.

“If we do things as well as we can, we’ve got a good chance, or certainly a chance, of getting the right result.”