NIKKI Walker has been told a Scotland place is his to be claimed — provided he secures an Ospreys wing berth ahead of Tommy Bowe or Shane Williams.

Andy Robinson handed out the toughest assignment in rugby by telling the 6ft 5in, 16st 11lb flyer his hopes of securing a Test call-up depend on him finding a way past one of the two best finishers in the northern hemisphere.

The Ospreys' second most prolific try scorer of all time behind Williams, Walker said: "I was with the Scotland squad a few weeks ago and spoke with Andy.

"He feels I need to be in the starting XV at the Ospreys and playing in the Heineken Cup games in front of Shane or Tommy.

"If I'm doing that, he says I'll be selected."

There is a case for arguing Walker hasn't exactly been left with a level playing field.

Simon Danielli, for instance, will be competing with the likes of Tommy Seymour, David McIlwaine and Mark McCrea when he returns from a shoulder injury for Ulster next month, while if Max Evans wants a wing spot at Glasgow he will find himself up against DTH van der Merwe, Federico Aramburu and Hefin O'Hare.

At the Scarlets, Sean Lamont has the uncapped quartet of Joe Ajuwa, Lee Williams, George North and Andy Fenby among his rivals.

In contrast, Bowe and Williams are Lions Test wings, two of the most accomplished wide men in world rugby, while the Ospreys also have another international in Tom Prydie, plus Kristian Phillips, Richard Fussell and emerging talent Eli Walker.

So best of luck, Nikki. "It is a big ask," said Walker.

"Because, if you just look at Shane and Tommy, there are not many wingers out there in the world who are better than those two.

"But I will just have to do my best.

"If I am playing well enough to keep one of those out, then I'll obviously be doing something right — I think Andy will have to pick me, then."

Big and powerful, the Aberdeen-born player has improved every year at the Ospreys, with the competition ensuring he pushes on with his game.

"There are no comfort zones here," he said.

"I've been up against Tommy and Shane for a while and you have to push your standards up if you want to play.

"But if I'm not starting because those boys are in the side then it hinders my chances of playing for Scotland.

"It is going to be tougher than ever this term because as well as Tommy and Shane we've got Richard Fussell, who signed from the Dragons in the summer, while Kristian Phillips and Tom Prydie will be a year further down the line.

"But I'm feeling fit after a summer off.

"I managed to get in a full pre-season, which was good, and I'm feeling the benefits."

Treviso defeated the Scarlets in Italy last weekend and Walker insists the Ospreys will not take them lightly at the Liberty tomorrow evening.

"They had a great result against the Scarlets and are a dangerous proposition," he said.

"I don't know if the Scarlets underestimated them by leaving a few players out, but it was still a big effort for them to get the win.

"They'll definitely pose a threat, but it's important that we kick-start our season. We were beaten by Gloucester in a friendly and then by Ulster, so it's two in a row. We don't want to make a habit of losing.

"We are confident of getting a win."