Scotland: The only way is up
With the Six Nations set for kick-off this weekend, Planet Rugby takes a look at each team's chances in 2013. First up, Scotland!
Last Year: Disappointing would be an understatement. Five defeats from five meant the wooden spoon was Scotland's in 2012. But it all could have started so differently as a charge-down try from Charlie Hodgson saw them fall 6-13 to England before negatives to Wales, France and Ireland preceded a final-round loss away to Italy.
They were dominated by the Azzurri in that first-half and were lucky to go in level at three apiece before a second-half try from winger Giovanbattista Venditti put the seal on Italy's victory. That Six Nations effort turned out to be the beginning of the end of Andy Robinson's coaching stint at the helm as - after a decent June Test series - a further shock loss to Tonga saw the Englishman stand down. A tough year.
This year: The only way is up, as they say, but Scotland will travel to their opener at Twickenham as heavy underdogs. On paper their side is not too shabby, particularly in the lock and back-row department, so opponents will find it difficult to break them down. But as has been the case for such a long time, getting the backline firing is their real Achilles heel.
Keep an eye on 22-year-old centre Matt Scott and new wing Sean Maitland should he get the nod to start as they may bring a change of fortunes, with Scott revealing that the defeat to Tonga was a tough one to take as in his words, "I don't think I've ever played in as bad a team performance as that" so there's an opportunity for the squad to respond. Unfortunately we don't see it happening.
Players to watch: Two players jump out from the forward pack and they are Richie Gray and Kelly Brown. The former has shown glimpses of his running game in Sale colours this season but in a team that has lost more than it's won, a stint of international rugby may see Gray - who is now a senior member of the Scottish squad - cause opposition real issues.
Brown has been outstanding for Saracens for a long period and quite rightly retained as captain this campaign. An immense, no frills leader up front who we feel should be on the plane to Australia. Further back, new wing Sean Maitland will hope to make his international bow in the Six Nations. Both he and Tim Visser know their way to the try-line...now, can Scotland create something for the duo?
Prospects: With a new coach at the helm and a somewhat daunting opener at Twickenham, many are expecting Scotland to be scrapping it out with the Azzurri to avoid the wooden spoon. However, three successive home games against Italy, Ireland and Wales won't be easy for their visitors.
On paper, the locks, back-row, half-backs and back-three are good quality so if they can gain confidence from a good win over Italy, one of the home nations may come unstuck at Murrayfield. In truth there is a 'nothing to lose' tag attached to the Scots, which as we've seen in the past, suits them well.
Fixtures:
2 February: v England - Away
9 February: v Italy - Home
24 February: v Ireland - Home
9 March: v Wales - Home
16 March: v France - Away
Comments
kybone says...
GCP_jones- Yea i've heard about that aswell. Only thing is, even if this 'star player' is paid £2million, the overall budget of £6.5million would be less than Leinster's reported wage budget and still far less than the biggest French clubs pay.
Posted 16:41 31st January 2013
kybone says...
scot_rsa- I am an England fan mate, but im also a huge supporter of the game and i'd be desperate to see the likes of Scotland do well (not against England) and i think they can. Having only 2 pro sides shouldn't be a barrier to success even though it does mean that they're working from a much smaller player pool. Despite what some on here continually suggest, it isn't the aim of the English and French to kick the likes of the Scottish teams out of the Heineken cup. I honestly believe that Scotland can win 3 games this 6N, i just hope that one of them isn't this weekend.
Posted 16:37 31st January 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
That star name above the sallery cap is a loophole if ever I saw one. You could have say Mako Vunipola on say 1 million just as long as say his brother plays for free, off the record. mako say splits it with his Bro and Sarries gets two top players outside the cap.
Posted 19:15 30th January 2013
scot_rsa says...
@kybone - as a Scotland fan I am afraid to say your comments re Scotland are extremely well put and accurate. Good to see others understand the issue. I would only disagree in that the Borders have good support but not for the SRU!
Posted 18:53 30th January 2013
GCP_jones says...
@kybone...
Point taken but I suggest you read the article posted on the Leicester Tigers chairman re salary etc.. I think there bringing in a clause next season where premiership clubs will be alowed to buy a 'Star name' above and beyond the salary cap.
Posted 16:15 30th January 2013
kybone says...
GCP_jones and rugby_rockstar- Give it a rest for crying out loud. You've managed to turn a completely unrelated topic into yet another debate on the Heineken cup. You both seem to have overlooked a massive point.....Scotland had 3 teams to start with and couldn't afford/ didn't have the player base/ interest to support the Borders. The IRB are interested in expanding rugby hence the efforts to help such nations as Argentina, Japan, the Pacific nations, USA, Russia, and Georgia etc. They can't keep dumping money, time, and effort down nations that can't keep their own house in order. Scotland had/still has a seat at the top table and they have allowed and are still allowing themselves to fall away. In all fairness Scotland has a population and economic power similar to New Zealand, and they've played the game for longer than New Zealand- so its Scotland own fault if they carry on falling by the wayside.
GCP_jones- What about the English players playing in France? The Irish players at Leinster, Munster, and Ulster are probably on as much or more than they would get in the Prem. In fact it was also reported that Jamie Roberts was offered a new deal by the Blues that would have made him the highest paid player in Britain! So please stop throwing the Prem in there when you're having your rants over the Top 14. Jonny Sexton's reported new contract in France, for instance, would constitute around 12% of the Prem salary cap. So obviously Prem teams are not offering anywhere near that kind of money.
Posted 15:06 30th January 2013
GCP_jones says...
@ Melkdave....
I think that expanding the game in areas of potential should be the number 1 priority of the IRB, and I'm well aware of Scotlands history in the game(which makes there current situation equally unaccepatable). But at the same time the game should not be allowed to contract in countries that have a rich heritage with the sport.
As I have said to you in other posts recently there won't need to be an overhaul of the Heineken in a couple of years, when the Pro12 unions can't hold onto there best players.
Be careful what you wish for Melkdave.
Posted 09:34 30th January 2013
melkdave says...
@GCP_Jones
You seem to be forgeting that Scotland are part of the OLD BOYS CLUB.The Calcutter Cup is after all the oldest internatinal match and series in exsistence.That Scotland badly need another team at least isnt in dought.The problem is that resources are finite,and the IRB is concentrating on developing the game worldwide in such places as China.India and the arab nations ,as well as trying to get the present teir 2 nations on a par with the precived big boys.That Scotland .Wales Italy,and to a certain degree Ireland and other teir 1 nations. now have very hard matches against these teams shows the IRB stratagy is working somewhat.Perhaps the SRU should go ,and get money from the lottery good causes fund They can certinally make a case for it benifiting the community in many ways ,and just maybe it could help fund that much needed 3rd team.But i expect they are to proud.Just as they and others are blocking a much need overhual of the HC and Pro12.
Posted 00:42 30th January 2013
GCP_JONES says...
@ArmchairGeneral....
My god Man Your a genius... You forgot to mention any players from Ireland not playing in France could join London irish.
Armchair you've cracked it,Nice One
Posted 21:10 29th January 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
GCP we could squeeze Edinburgh and Glasgow into the Aviva. With two relegations for two years they can replace say London Welsh and W.Warroirs (cant have two Warrior teams). The Irish and Welsh players are moving to France. Done. Or just adopt Newcastle as a Scottish club in the Aviva. Then you're in the centre of things and the Pro12 joke ends. Not serious.
I've given up predicting good things of Scotland. I've always been wrong re 6 nations. I'm saying England get back to the 45 pointers vs Scot. Edinburgh in the HC being the indicator of things to come. But the biggest question is... Who will Andy Robinson be supporting? It will be a head spinner for him!
Posted 19:39 29th January 2013
melkdave says...
To be honest i do think Scotland wil do pretty well this year,and England wont be relishing playing Scotland 1st up.Thats always a very hard game ,as Scotland start full of beans and confidance.Three home games though should make a huge differance.,Scotland seem to play better at home for some reason .So myself ,hoping for a England win this opening weekend ,but for Scotland to win 2 at least of their home matches.Scotland do have a good 1st XV,they just need belief and consistentcy
Posted 15:51 29th January 2013
carpelone says...
It can go either way with Scotland this 6N.
The potential is there, they have to gel as a team. The new coach could help even though he underachieved everywhere he went.
Strong points:
The back three and the second row
Weaknesses
The back row and the outhalves.
Let's hope we see some good games from the Scots. Long time overdue.
Posted 15:31 29th January 2013
PREEST says...
I love that a fringe AB pospect in Sean Maitland is straight away called into the national squad in Scotland. Being a Cantabrian, I was said to see Maitland go, I always thought he had an outside chance of making the ABs, a kind of Caleb Ralph. However, now he'll be playing for Scotland, so I will be watching the Scottish games with and eye on Maitland, to see how he goes on the international stage. Be it a Scottish Jersey, I think he will make us here in Canterbury and all of New Zealand very proud.
Posted 13:14 29th January 2013
GCP_jones says...
@rugby_rockstar...
Once again well said, it seems to me that we are witnessing a contraction of rugby union in Europe to the centre i.e England and France.
The club game/heineken(which in turn effects the Test Teams) is going to be a half arsed competition if players from Scotland, Wales, Italy and now ireland are playing in the top 14 and premiership.
We've got to ask ourselves where do we want our great sport to be going, are we happy with the Auld Boys Club, or, do we want it to become a true world sport.
I personally will go for the latter, but at the moment its the former that seems to be winning out sadly.
Posted 13:13 29th January 2013
heathy says...
@ atg77 - I like that. Good stuff. Forever hopeful, passionate and this is the year for Scotland to win the Grand Slam/Championship. Do you support Liverpool? lol
In all fairness, I think it is just a click of a switch and some luck that Scotland need. The Championship is a long way off but a couple of wins would be a step in the right direction. Against England, at Twickenham, right now? Hmmm... that may be a struggle if you take the blnkers off. However, stranger things have happened (or should I say Stanger things have happened lol?)
Posted 13:11 29th January 2013
jamesliveinhope says...
expectation is their achilles heel - I've a huge amount of respect for Andy Robinson but his trademark is difficult to break down but otherwise don't offer a lot.
The problem with that philosophy is that you'll get lots of unexpected reversals of form, normally narrow margin victories against sides you would expect to lose to and narrow defeats against sides you would expect to beat.
Oddly, I know all about Johnson and his grave jumping but not a lot about what he brings to a side so I don't know what Scotland will turn up.
As an England fan, this has to be a comprehensive victory if we are to believe the hype that followed the Autumn, But as an England fan, knowing the English style of play is easy to frustrate, I hate it when we play Scotland.
Posted 12:54 29th January 2013
chancer says...
I am sure that most non Scottish supporters will put in earplugs or press the mute button when that dirge 'Flower of Scotland' is played?? Perhaps they will grow up when they have their non vote on Independence.
Posted 12:00 29th January 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
Scotland are basically where England were 12 months ago. People have low expectations and the Press have written been critical. The big difference, as always, is that they can't have an almighty clearout like England did because they don't have the player pool. I expect to see a Scottish backlash because their pride had been wounded. Whether it will be enough to beat teams with stronger set pieces remains to be seen. it ain't great weather for weak set peices and a head coach best known for loose running play.
Given Wales' poor form, a 4th place is something to aim for... and I'm not saying they'll get there either. Scottish rugby is a poorly beast, but what do you honestly expect from a national side which primarily made up from two rugby clubs??? It's a shame that we allow this sham to continue. Why aren't we doing something about it? Then you have people suggesting they should have the eurocup taken away from them. How would that help the Scottish players make the step up to test match rugby??? If we adopted that point of view in 2000 then this story would be entitled FIVE nations preview: Scotland. Is rugby union truly serious about expanding this sport???
Posted 11:59 29th January 2013
atg77 says...
Scotland is well overdue a good championship, and will finish alot higher than fifth - especially with three very winnable home games. We'll beat Italy and Ireland for sure... and most likely the Welsh. I like our chances against Englandtoo; finally we're going down there with a half decent backline. Visser, Maitland and Hogg will be a handful if they can get some decent space. Remember the last four games between the two countries have been by a margin of seven points or less... and this time there is no Tuilagi... and it's a MUCH stronger Scottish team. Scotland by a point in Twickenham... grand slam decider in Paris!
Posted 11:57 29th January 2013
heathy says...
Harsh prediction but taking the last campaign into account, it couldn't be anything different really. For me, this game is all about how England start. They are the home team and if they start where they finished off against NZ, the Scots will not get close. England will be firing and Scotland will be thinking 'here we go again'. Yes, it will be in their heads but in top level sport this is where a lot is won and lost. Scotland will give it all. They always do. If England are below par then it will be a long hard slog for the first over the line. We will all be disappointed by what could be a poor game. If Scotland get a sniff then they could be a handful for anybody. On their day Scotland have beaten all the other 5 Nations. They do need to start though by cutting out mistakes in crucial areas of the park. Like I said, if England come off the blocks all guns blazing, Scotland will be beaten soundly. If they don't, it will be a long afternoon and not pretty. The pressure is all on England. Can they deliver? I think they can.
Posted 10:45 29th January 2013