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SCOTLAND TEAM PROFILE Car, train, bus or plane. Plan your trip to Murrayfield free with www.transportdirect.info to get their tournament underway. This game could dictate the rest of the tournament. If the Welsh run riot in Edinburgh, then it could make for a long six weeks for coach Frank Hadden and his team as it will be difficult for the Scots to get anything from the trip to Paris a week later. That tough trip is followed by two home games against Italy and Ireland, which could produce positive results before the Auld Enemy lies in wait on the final match day – keen to reinstate Twickenham as a rugby fortress. If the tournament has been a successful one for Johnson’s men, Scotland are likely to leave empty handed. That said, the sight of the Red Rose always seems to bring out the best of a Scottish XV as was the case at Murrayfield 2008 last year. Scotland have prepared for the 2009 Six Nations with a mostly experienced pack whilst continuing to blood youngsters in the three quarters and are quietly confident of an improved showing. Nathan Hines, Jim Hamilton, Jason White and Simon Taylor all returned to bolster the Scottish front five after missing the famous win in Argentina last June. Four of the backs that started against New Zealand in November had less than ten caps but five of them play together at Edinburgh, including Mike Blair and Chris Paterson. They will miss Rory Lamont who looks unlikely to feature after undergoing surgery on damaged ankle ligaments sustained in a European match in December. Phil Godman will be looking to assert his control over the number ten shirt and link up with half back partner Blair as they do at Edinburgh. Blair shone in last season’s tournament amidst poor performances from those around him. His sprightly, innovative play from behind the scrum is a revelation to Scottish Rugby and it earned him an IRB Player of the Year nomination. Hadden must build his backs around his captain if Scotland are to find a cutting edge that could damage the opposition. Chris Paterson added a 100% 2008 Six Nations kicking record to the same achievement in the 2007 World Cup but Scotland failed to trouble defences with just three tries in their matches, which tells its own story. n Right Graeme Morrison on the attack during last season’s Calcutta Cup win over England at Murrayfield THE LOWDOWN ONE TO WATCH STRENGTHS JOHN BARCLAY If Paterson can continue his form with the boot displayed in the 2007 World Cup and last years’ championship then they can rely him slotting penalty kicks from almost anywhere in the opposition half. What they need to do is give him more opportunities to kick conversions. The Scottish pack matched South Africa in November and played with an intensity that has been missing for years. With the correct dynamic of youth and experience they will give anyone a run up front. An abundance of quality back row forwards given Hadden the luxury of picking form players. Former captain Jason White overcame a string of injuries to get himself fit for the November internationals in which he was instrumental. WEAKNESS Like most people,
John Barclay would
have woken up feeling
a little tender on his
21st birthday, but
unlike most, that is
because he had faced
the All Blacks on his
International debut
the day before. Despite
seeming to have been on the scene for a
number of years now, openside flanker
Barclay is still only 22. If Scotland are to
mount a serious attack on the Six Nations
title this year, they will have to tighten up a
defence that conceded 13 tries in the last
campaign and Barclay, amongst others will
have to lead by example. He is a fearless
tackler and has an impressive turn of pace
considering his 6’2”, 17 stone frame. A few
big performances could also catch The Scottish backs have not provided the cutting edge necessary to succeed in International rugby for some time now. Hadden has to get the right dynamic because three tries in Six Nations 2008 is a huge underachievement. In Blair and Paterson he has two world class backs but the midfield is key. If Paterson gets injured, Scotland have to rely on the inconsistent kicking of Godman and Parks who both squandered chances during the Autumn internationals. Hadden has to remove the lack of belief installed in his team at present. It was clear that as Scotland bombarded South Africa in the last ten minutes in November that they did not believe they could overcome the narrow lead held by the world champions. CLASSIC SPORTS SERIES / 119 |