Scotland international Simon Taylor admits he will find it tough watching the opening games of the RBS 6 Nations championship from the sidelines.
The Edinburgh Gunners number eight was on the verge of a playing return for his professional club this weekend before an ankle injury forced him out again.
The 25-year-old has not played since the final RBS 6 Nations match against Ireland last March when he suffered knee ligament damage.
But a series of niggling injuries have since left the player in rehabilitation longer than expected and he admits he questioned his future involvement in the game.
Taylor told Scotland Today: ''Some days you cannot ever see it being as it was but my knee has now passed that stage and I am not too worried by it any more.
''When there is no chance of you playing - when you can hardly even run - it is fine, you don't even bother because the thought of running is out of the question.
''So it is more frustrating now when I know I am almost playing and feeling fit but just not quite there.
''It will be hard watching these games I think.''