If the arrival of a new year brings new opportunities for everyone, what are the chances of Dave Cherry pulling on a Scotland shirt again in 2025? Stranger things have surely happened.
Cherry was an integral part of Gregor Townsend's plans at last year's World Cup, coming off the bench in the defeat to South Africa.
Then came his fall, literally, when he reportedly fell down a flight of stairs on a day off, suffered a concussion, and was sent home. Fifteen months later, Cherry has not featured in any Scotland team since, let alone on the field.
It is a curious situation which is partly explained by the emergence of his Edinburgh team-mates, Ewan Ashman and Patrick Harrison, who have forced their way onto the scene. But given the retirement of Stuart McInally and Fraser Brown, and with George Turner heading towards Japan, Cherry's experience would surely have come in handy at some point.
The 33-year-old has kept his advice during the intervening period, but after Edinburgh's 1872 Cup victory over Glasgow he insisted he had not quietly retired as an international.
There is now an undoubted pecking order at Hooker and Cherry is behind him, but, if the opportunity arises, the Edinburgh-born player revealed he would jump at the chance to pull on a Scotland shirt once again.
Edinburgh hooker Dave Cherry is applauded by rival Glasgow Stars after victory at Murrayfield
Cherry was a great presence for the capital team, which regained pride after last week's defeat.
Cherry lands big blow on Glasgow fly-half Tom Jordan as Warriors crash out
Asked if he had given up on retirement, Cherry replied: “Not at all.” I want to make it clear that I'm still going and I'm still available. My desire to play for Scotland again is still there.
'(Townsend) has basically said keep doing what you're doing, and that's it. I'm just focused on myself and my own performance and trying to do my best. I hope they select me.”
More performances like Saturday's, both individually and collectively, will not hurt their chances. Edinburgh stifled Glasgow's attacking intent, restricting one of rugby's most potent attacks to just a late penalty attempt.
Cherry, making his 100th appearance for the club, was at the center of the battle and should have had an assist too late in the first half when Luke Crosbie spilled his pass just on the Glasgow line.
Edinburgh are still not making the most of their attacking resources (Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham have barely seen the ball again) and they have yet to prove they can perform outside the capital. This, however, was a defiant response to the humiliation they had received at Hampden the previous weekend.
“The clarity throughout the week created intent in the game,” Cherry added. 'It was seen out there, it was much clearer what we were doing. Our defense was structured and that led us to victory.
'Our discipline and our turnovers were spot on. We were only two and two (penalties and turnovers) at halftime and that made a big difference in our play this week. We were able to control Glasgow and their defense better, not give them so many tackles. I think that was the definitive victory of the game, our defense.
“I was discussing it with the guys afterwards. It felt more than a 10-7 score. There were opportunities and both sides didn't take advantage. But it's four URC points and that's the most important one for us. We needed to get back on the horse and we did it.” we have done.”
Cherry last played for Scotland in the 2023 World Cup against South Africa
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has seen his options at hooker dwindle recently.
It was the ideal way for Cherry to mark his historic appearance, even if Edinburgh never threatened to overturn a 19-point deficit from the first leg to lift the trophy.
“I'm very happy (to become a centurion of the club),” he smiled. 'When I was little I never thought I'd reach that milestone, so I'm absolutely delighted. But the bigger picture is that of the team and its performance, rather than mine.
“Our home form has been good, but we have to maintain it away from home. Playing in Glasgow you always want to win those games – a big crowd and a big occasion for me. I am delighted with the team's performance. We went in believing we could get those 19 points. In the end we didn't make it, but we will take the victory and the four points.”
The final yellow card shown to Harrison led to Cherry being summoned from the stands for another 10-minute shift, which he was not very enthusiastic about.
“Well… we were winning and we have to run out of time,” he added. “They said, 'Take your time,' so I was more than happy to do it.”
Kyle Steyn says Glasgow will head into their New Year holidays licking their wounds but determined to make amends when they return.
Steyn smiles after his team's overall victory, but it was too much for Zander Fagerson
Steyn did his best to look excited as he lifted the 1872 Cup, but having just lost the match, if not the tie, to Edinburgh, the captain found it difficult to get too excited.
It was deja vu for the visitors who also lost the match at Murrayfield last year only to recover and win the URC title. And Steyn hoped this setback could provide a springboard when the Warriors return for Champions Cup matches against Racing 92 and Harlequins.
“Yes, it's very frustrating,” said the Scottish winger. “It's fair to Edinburgh, I think they held up pretty well and did well to stop our ball.” We struggled to find any momentum in attack, but I think we created enough opportunities to get the job done and didn't take advantage of them enough.
'The problem was our ruck speed. It becomes quite easy to defend once our ball was so slow. They have done well there and we will learn our lessons.
“We've had a lot of changes in almost every game and I'm very proud of the boys, especially up front.” We have had four or five changes each week and whoever has played has taken a step forward. I think it's disappointing to end this year, for what it has been, with a game like this, but it will keep the hunger going for next year.
“We have Racing at home and we have to go to Quins after narrowly losing there last year. There are many motivations and, the way the first two rounds have gone, every game will now be important.'