The opening in the position is a result of Mike Coman's move to London Irish. While Viliami Fihaki has been signed ostensibly as a direct replacement, Ritchie specialises at blindside - with the Tongan equally comfortable at No.8 - which may help sway Alan Solomons' team selection.
"There is a lot of competition for places with guys coming in like Villi [Fihaki]. He is a big guy, a big ball carrier and a really nice bloke too," Ritchie told The Scotsman.
"There are other guys who can fill the role like Maggie [Magnus Bradbury], so the competition is there, it helps us all get better. I would not say I am number one but I think I am in the mix."
Ritchie enjoyed a strong summer, competing in his third and final World Rugby Under-20 Championship, the highlight of which was Scotland's first-ever win against Australia at that level.
And having enjoyed unexpected game time a year ago, Ritchie wants to back that up in the forthcoming campaign.
He added: "Coming off the back of the St Andrews training camp we had last year, I was hoping for maybe a few games, not as many as I got though. I was delighted to be involved as much as I was last year and hope to repeat and push on this year."
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