Ex-Scotland star claims Calcutta Cup defeat ‘so Scottish’ after referee ‘bottled’ England game
Tommy Freeman going over for controversial try and former Scotland captain Rory Lawson.
Former Scotland scrum-half Rory Lawson felt that the referee played a key part in their loss to England but insists that a third defeat in a row would be “incomprehensible”.
Gregor Townsend’s men opened their campaign with a victory over Italy, but successive reversals have followed – to Ireland and England.
Their latest was a controversial 16-15 loss to the Auld Enemy, featuring a number of contentious moments.
Ghost try
Lawson was the latest to complain about some of the calls but particularly took umbrage with the decision to award Tommy Freeman a try.
“I think he bottled it,” he told the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast. “I hate talking about referees having an impact on the game, but look at Tommy Freeman’s subsequent interview after the game.
“At no stage did he say: ‘There is zero doubt in my mind the ball was down’. He said: ‘The referee saw it down therefore it’s his decision’. There is nothing. It is inconclusive.”
For Lawson, it brought back memories of last year’s Six Nations clash against France when Scotland were not awarded a match-winning try in the final minute as they succumbed 20-16 in the second round.
“When you compare it to last year against France at Murrayfield, the ball was clearly down and because the ref asked the wrong question, we got the wrong outcome,” he added.
“It’s so Scottish to be on the end of these, but I’m yet to see any evidence at all that the ball got near the ground.”
Despite understandable Scottish frustrations, their focus now turns to an encounter with Wales as they seek to rescue what has been another disappointing campaign.
Their title hopes are effectively over but they could end on a high with victories against Matt Sherratt’s men and France, which is their final game.
Townsend’s outfit currently reside in fourth position but third place – and potentially even second – is possible depending on how results go in the last two rounds.
‘Must-win game’
“Scotland must win that game and are expected to win that game against Wales,” ex-captain Lawson said.
“I think they’ve got to get into Wales and it is incomprehensible to think of Scotland being one from four after the Wales game.
“Scotland have to take all the frustration of Allianz Stadium from the weekend and say ‘We’re going to be ruthless.
“When we get the chance in the red zone, we’re going to be patient, but we’re going to be punchy and we’re going to take our opportunities when they come’.”
