Scotland flanker Andrew Mower today revealed he is talking to the Borders about the possibility of joining them next season.

The 27-year-old was handed the opportunity to replace Budge Pountney for Sunday's RBS 6 Nations opener against Ireland.

But his club future is less certain with his contract up at Newcastle Falcons in five months and he is weighing up his options.

Mower said: "I'm out of contract in July and obviously I'll put my head down and try and play well in the 6 Nations and I'm talking to Newcastle and the Borders and see what happens."

Mower was loaned out to the Borders before being called back after producing an outstanding display for Scotland A against Romania.

His international place is much more certain and he is now fit and raring to go against the Irish at Murrayfield.

Mower added: "I've been feeling good and I've been training all week and just hope to try and make the most of the opportunity on Sunday.

"I was injured at the start of the season and missed the tour to the United States and Canada through injury and I changed clubs.

"But I got two A games in the Autumn and I played quite well against Romania and with Newcastle we've three out of our last four games and I've been man of the match twice and been playing quite well.

"I just have to try and carry that through onto the field on Sunday. My form returning has been good timing but it's all about match fitness.

"I was out injured and in my position you have to be one of the fittest on the field and no matter what kind of running you do there's nothing like games.

"I'm just starting to play more and more games and I'm getting into my stride. I'm back at full fitness and I'm relatively fresh in my body."

He is now determined to make the number seven shirt his own for years to come.

"I have to make the most of my opportunity," added Mower. "Budge was and still is a great player and I have tremendous respect for him but there's an opportunity for myself and I've got to try and play well and make the most of it.

"We'll never know if I would have played if Budge was still here but I've been in good form.

"Budge is a great player and he's made his choice but I've got to look forward and make the most of what I've got."

Leeds stand-off Gordon Ross is also relishing his 6 Nations debut having held off the challenge of Gregor Townsend.

He said: "Gregor's been superb over the years. Although he makes a few mistakes he does some brilliant things in games which often wins matches.

"Although it sounds selfish I just try and focus on my game because If I'm doing things well then hopefully I'll get the nod and opportunity to play, which I've been given. And I'll just leave Gregor to see what he does at the Borders.

"It always gives you confidence when you're picked ahead of somebody like Gregor and I know he'd desperate to play.

"So It's up to me to play well at the weekend both individually and part of the team."

Scotland coach Ian McGeechan admitted the kicking ability of number 10 Ross had given him the nod over Townsend.

He said: "It was Gordon's kicking game which gave him the edge over Gregor.

"It's up to Gordon now how he handles it, but we want to give him a run because he has been consistent at Leeds and we want to be fair to our player.

"Gordon didn't do anything wrong in the autumn Tests. And we'll give him another chance.

"It was a significant temptation to play Brendan at number 10 because he's been playing well and that has been reflected in the amount of tries scored by Edinburgh this season.

"Brendan is an influential player, he's important to us, which is why he'll be at number 12."