Scotland
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Scotland
Scotland 33-20 Italy
Scotland 13-22 Ireland
There can no argument that Scotland have improved
significantly in recent years with a much more entertaining style
of rugby having been integrated into their game. Following the
home defeat to Ireland at the weekend there is a danger that
they do not push on from the platform they have built.
The team’s rugby has become much more progressive in recent
times and they have been rewarded with memorable victories
over England and Australia among others. They have players
with genuine class and generally speaking, their home record
has been superb.
However, they have failed to make a significant impact at the
top of the Six Nations table and it will be difficult to do so again
10 Issue 83
this year. Anything other than a win away to France in their
next game will leave them looking at a bottom half finish.
They have already claimed a bonus point victory against Italy
and they have been left short of options in their forwards due
to a number of injuries. Their current failure to take the next
step is more a case of lacking depth than quality in their XV.
With that in mind, there is still plenty of reason for optimism
for Scottish supporters and whilst this Six Nations may prove
difficult they still have a great chance of making an impact in
the World Cup later in the year if they can get their key players
fit.
Speaking after the game against Ireland, Gregor Townsend
said, “We probably should have scored one try more and I’m
frustrated that we gifted them a try, but I am very happy with
the way we played in the first half.”
“In the second half, the execution of our set-piece
plays to get us into our game and to put more
pressure on Ireland just didn’t happen. Both of
the teams’ energy levels dropped in the second
half because of the effort that they put into the
first half.
“With the tackles, carries and contact
work at a very high level, you can’t keep
that up for 80 minutes. I’m so proud of
the players, with the way they played
and the effort they put in.
“I thought we won those battles and
our contact work against a very good
defence, who will look to hold you up
in the tackle, rip the ball or compete
for the ball, was outstanding.
“Just that final piece, the execution
off our set-piece, which has been
really good, that fell off the jigsaw
today and that’s my fault.
“I’m the attack coach and we weren’t
able to get those two or three phases,
either to get in behind the defence or set
up our attack shape which was working
well in the first half.
“We got a lot of our attacking game into
play, really good decisions and really good
work rate off the ball meant that we were
finding space in that first half. If we were
able to replicate it in the second, I think
we’d be here with a win.”