Scots need to build quickly on Italy win

Posted by Cody Chalmers on Sunday, March 20, 2011 · Leave a Comment 

On the contrary, when you consider that the Scots had managed just three wins in the last three tournaments, it was probably indulging in Micawberish optimism to become overly confident, on the back of some promising results in the second half of 2010.

But nonetheless, the sight of tens of thousands of empty seats on a lovely early spring day in Edinburgh for the Scots’ climactic tussle with the Italians testified to the remarkable transformation which has taken place in the sport since the former Five became Six.

It isn’t merely that the fans have fallen out of love with their team, or even that the Saltire-waving fraternity can’t afford the exorbitant ticket prices, because such explanations underestimate how many people still care deeply about the fortunes of their rugby-playing compatriots.

But there is a mounting disenchantment with the quality of performance and the entertainment value served up by the national side. And, even if the Wooden Spoon has been avoided, courtesy of the Azzurri collapsing spectacularly in a heap at Twickenham, there are meaningful wins and Phyrric victories and Saturday’s success fell firmly into the latter category.

On the plus side, the Scots were well worth their success. They buzzed with menace and purpose, bolstered by toweing displays from such redoubtable warriors as Richie Gray, Nathan Hines, Allan Jacobsen and Kelly Brown. They could have triumphed by more than 13 points against the Azzurri, who were forced into desperate defending for long periods of the contest. And there is little doubt that many in the Scottish ranks will have benefitted from their recent bonding in adversity. This is a squad which could still spring a surprise at the World Cup later this year.

Yet, let’s put things in perspective. I was at Murrayfield last Wednesday when Andy Robinson announced a virtually unchanged collective for the Italian tussle, from the ensemble which had battled courageously in losing narrowly to England. To his credit, the coach didn’t attempt to pretend that everything was sweetness and light, but Robinson still sought to cling to the party line that the Scots are a work in progress.

This might – almost – be justifiable if he was working with a group of 22 and 23 year-olds, but his squads throughout the championship have been positively packed with experienced campaigners; fellows who should have learned the knack of translating potential into the hard currency of victory. Yet, far from growing into their roles, the Scots appear to become more uneasy every time they come close to being described as favourites.

This can’t be a coincidence. Nor can it be a fluke that the best performers, amidst the Six Nations rubble, have been those who have had to scrap for their places. Ruaridh Jackson has been inspired at Glasgow by the rapid emergence of Duncan Weir; Max Evans, who was ruled out through injury from tackling the Italians, has switched position, but is vying with the likes of Joe Ansbro, Nick De Luca, Sean Lamont, Nikki Walker, Alex Grove and Simon Danielli.

Richie Gray, a man who has enhanced his reputation in the last couple of months has burst through the ranks at Glasgow, despite finding himself in direct opposition to such men as Al Kellock, Alasdair Strokosch, Nathan Hines and Scott MacLeod. In every instance, their sheer desire to transcend their confreres has spurred these individuals on to success on the Test stage.

But, from a more negative viewpoint, other players haven’t kicked on or, in one or two cases, have actually shuffled backwards during the Six Nations. A year ago, who would have imagined that Euan Murray would have fallen into that category or that John Barclay’s most telling contribution to the championship would lie in being sin-binned against the English?

For that matter, who have have surmised that the Scotland pack, which helped beat the likes of Argentina and South Africa in the last nine months, would have toiled so badly that the likes of Ross Ford couldn’t even master the basics of line-out throwing? Yes, the declining fortunes of Glasgow and Edinburgh have muddied the waters, but the only way to buck that trend is for Robinson’s troops to show they recognise what professionalism really means.

To that extent, it has been a grisly campaign and especially for those of us who reckoned the Scots would win their three home ties. The defeat to Wales was the nadir, but the hosts weren’t significantly better in the first half against Ireland and looked as if they were frightened to try anything off the cuff against the Italians. They have to learn to live with criticism, use any negativity as a spur, stop blaming the supporters for not cheering on their country, and deliver where it counts.

It might be a long process. But Robinson must accept that his men won’t preach to the unconverted by fighting for the Wooden Spoon every year. If our aspirations have sunk that low, it’s no wonder many fans have found other things to do.

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