The 20-year-old – who became Scotland player #1240 when he came on in Saturday’s win over Fiji – admits he would happily have stayed in New Zealand had fate not intervened to alter his path.

“I was originally going to stay out there,” he revealed. “I didn’t have a time to come back so I was just enjoying playing out there. And then I got a call from Kenny Murray [the former Scotland under-20s head coach] to come back because Elliot Young, one of the hookers, had got a shoulder injury. So I came back for the Junior World Trophy. After that, I was a player of national interest.

“Maybe there might have been a different way that I could have got called back. But the way I think about it is if I didn’t come back for the Junior World Trophy I wouldn’t have gone into the academy. And then I wouldn’t have played 20s again in the Six Nations and I might not have been in Franco [Smith’s] eye line to get called into Glasgow. And then I might not be here.”

Stephen recalls sitting in the Murrayfield stand as a supporter watching Scotland take on the Springboks less than two years ago, wishing for nothing more than to emulate those out there in blue. Now many of them are his club and international team-mates.

“I was saying to the boys in the changing room that I remember being here in 2024 sitting across the other side of the pitch with my dad and my brothers, watching Scotland play South Africa and I thought, ‘That’s all I want to ever do’. From being at the Junior Academy a year ago at Edinburgh [Accies] then coming through to Glasgow, never on my radar did I see this opportunity so it has been amazing.”

Stephen admits his route to international rugby has been unconventional having not been immediately picked up at academy level after leaving school. The Aberdonian added: “I don’t know if it was a mixed communication but I didn’t really get anything offered after playing [Scotland] under-18s in Dublin. So, I kind of thought I didn’t really have anything to be waiting around for, and I wanted a different experience. So, that’s why I went out to New Zealand.

“I think I was slightly egged on by my mum and dad because they just thought, ‘what a time to have that experience in your life’. I had my 18th birthday out there which is pretty rogue to do, I suppose. But it was a good experience.”

Stephen’s emergence for Warriors – where he was awarded his first professional contract in April this year – comes during a fruitful time for young hookers, with Gregor Hiddleston, who made his first Scotland start on Saturday, and under-20s captain Joe Roberts also rising to prominence.

“Joe’s a great guy,” added Stephen. “And I’ve played with him all through under-20s. So yeah, me and him get on very well. There are a lot of good hookers in Scotland so I think I’ll have to do a good job to stay in [the Scotland squad]. But I think that’s just through playing for Glasgow and playing well for Glasgow.”

Stephen’s big moment at Murrayfield arrived in the second half, although for a while it looked like it was going to be even earlier. “I originally thought I was going to get on at about 37 minutes because Gregor went off for a blood replacement. I said I couldn’t see anything on his face so I didn’t really know what was wrong with him as he was running into the tunnel! But he got a two-inch gash on his face which they stitched up at half-time. I was happy to get on nonetheless and to even get 15 minutes was amazing.

“I probably had about nine of my family in the changing room so it was a bit cramped. And then more friends and family as well in the stands. It was great that I had their support. I could see my mum and dad while I was going up to get my cap. And to have them there… I feel like everything they’ve done for me has been amazing. So, yeah, it was very special.”