With the Six Nations looming large on the horizon, we look closely at each of the protagonists. Up next, Scotland!
Can Scotland avoid another wooden spoon battle with Italy and instead make a strong enough bid for a title they have not won since the tournament was expanded to six teams at the turn of 2000?
Last year: Scotland finished the 2011 Six Nations with a flourish, ending a run of four straight losses and thus avoiding the wooden spoon in the process with victory over Italy at Murrayfield - their first Championship win at their home ground in two years. The match also saw Nick De Luca touch down for Scotland's first try at Murrayfield since November 2009, while head coach Andy Robinson celebrated his second Six Nations win in 10 attempts but his first at the home of Scotland rugby. Prior to that winning result on March 19, the Scots had a rather forgetful campaign after entering the tournament with plenty of promise on the back of five wins in six Tests. However, an opening loss to France, was followed by two home defeats to Wales and Ireland before going down to England in a tight tussle at Twickenham.
This year: If Scotland conjure up repeat performances like the ones displayed at the World Cup, then their loyal supporters are in for a frustrating season ahead yet again. The Scots managed to score only four tries throughout their World Cup campaign and lost close games they should have won, resulting in the disappointment of becoming the first Scotland squad not to make the World Cup quarter-finals. Yet Andy Robinson's position remains safe all the way to 2015. In order to make a splash in this year's Six Nations, the former England boss badly needs a fresh approach to galvanise a hopelessly one-dimensional side or the nightmare of taking home the dreaded wooden spoon could become a harsh reality. They have a chance to take advantage of an under-fire England team going through a rebuilding phase under a caretaker coach in the tournament opener at Murrayfield. They couldn't have asked for a better fixture to kick-off their campaign, with the added chance of revenge thrown into the mix against the auld enemy. However one feels that if they let this opportunity slip, then the remainder of the tournament will be an uphill battle with a tough away game against Wales to follow before taking on France at home and then Ireland in Dublin.
Key players: Scotland received an early injury blow with news that loose forward Kelly Brown will miss the entire tournament. In his absence, 53-times capped hooker Ross Ford has secured the armband and will be required to lead the team from the front. His experience though is priceless, and commands the respect of his team-mates and opponents. Behind him, Richie Gray - with his mop of shaggy blond hair and fearless attitude on the pitch - will once again be a force to be reckoned with. Gray may be only 22, but has become a cult hero in Scottish rugby and already has the makings of a world-class player. In the backs, uncapped Glasgow pivot Duncan Weir may get a chance to showcase his kicking skills if given the chance but needs a poor showing from Ruaridh Jackson and Dan Parks for it happen.
Prospects: There's a genuine feeling that Scottish rugby is in the ascendancy after Edinburgh reached the Heineken Cup quarter-finals as pool winners. However, as mentioned already, the Calcutta Cup clash with England will shape the tournament for Scotland. Win and a strong tournament is possible. Defeat and a repeat of the last two tournaments is likely and Robinson's position may be placed under scrutiny. Fixtures with World Cup semi-finalists Wales, World Cup finalists France, World Cup quarter-finalists Ireland and Italy follow, with the match in Rome potentially once again being the wooden spoon decider.
Fixtures:
4 Feb: v England at Murrayfield (17:00 GMT)
12 Feb: v Wales at Millennium Stadium (15:00 GMT)
26 Feb: v France at Murrayfield (15:00 GMT)
10 March: v Ireland at Aviva Stadium (17:00 GMT)
17 March: v Italy at Stadio Olimpico (12:30 GMT)
Comments
kybone says...
Andy Robinson must be the dullest most one dimensional coach in international rugby. Scotland may improve this year but under Robinson they'll always be one dimensional and boring ....i know i had to sit through it with England. Scoring tries will be the problem again i feel. 4 tries in a world cup is frankly pathetic baring in mind that 2 of their 4 games were against so called minnow nations! Im not sure what they should do to address tghis situation other than stop making stupid mistakes at crucial times. Still id be happy with a few stupid mistakes on saturday!
Posted 18:07 30th January 2012
ThinkingGame says...
@rnicholl2
Hopefully they will. But they're running out of time to injure the entire back line of four countries and get the 3 away games switched to Murrayfield on rainy nights in November.
Posted 17:36 29th January 2012
rnicholl2 says...
With any luck they'll find there pre world cup form again that got them the victory against Ireland
Posted 10:48 28th January 2012
ThinkingGame says...
There's a whisper going round that Scotland are the ones to watch. Is there anything about them this year that wasn't there last year or at the RWC? Seems the rumour is mainly being spread by people who don't watch the Scottish regions. Good luck, but I fear rumours of a reincarnation are vastly premature.
Posted 03:27 28th January 2012
MunsterRedArmy says...
Best of luck to Scotland this year! Last year's Fra:Scotland was in my opinion best game of the 6n! Hope you get to beat them this year!
Posted 16:59 27th January 2012