Having already retired from Test rugby as Scotland’s most capped player – with 53 of his 109 appearances coming in the RBS 6 Nations – and as the nation’s top points scorer, Paterson will play his last ever game as Treviso visit Edinburgh in the RaboDirect PRO12.

Most of Paterson’s Scotland appearances came at full-back but he is adamant the No.15 shirt is nothing to worry about with Edinburgh teammate and Scotland Under-20s star Tom Brown showing promise.

But it isn’t just Brown that gives Paterson reason to believe that the future of Scottish rugby is very bright indeed.

“Tom is brilliant and has got so much more to come, and the best thing about him is his willingness to learn and improve,” Paterson told the Scotsman.

“He’s been outstanding and looked comfortable in these big games, and he’s going to get better.

“But there are other guys like him coming through: Lee Jones, Grant Gilchrist, Matt Scott, Dave Denton and, in Glasgow, Stuart Hogg, Richie Gray, Alex Dunbar... there are so many to mention that have come through the academy system and building a future for pro rugby in Scotland.

“Last week [Heineken Cup semi-final defeat to Ulster] was massively important. Of course it would have been better had we won, but can you actually learn more in defeat than when winning?

“The belief that would have given not just to Edinburgh players but to Scottish rugby. Here we were just three points from a Heineken Cup final without playing our best, without taking the opportunities that were there, why think you can’t succeed?

“I’m confident that pro rugby is in a good place,” he added, “but it has to continue to evolve because as soon as you stop and think you’re in a good place others will catch you up or overtake you. We’re still chasing the pack but everything’s pulling in the right direction.”