Since last year’s dismal RBS Six Nations campaign, a new coach and a new captain have attempted the difficult process of rebuilding this forlorn and pitiful Scotland side. Three heavy defeats at the hands of Ireland, England and Wales, a narrow home defeat to France and a last-gasp win over Italy did not mirror the ambition of the Scottish Rugby Union.
Back in 2012, Mark Dodson, chief Executive of the SRU, unveiled his four-year plan which would culminate in a Scottish Grand Slam in 2016, illustrated perhaps by the appointment of former Clermont Auvergne mastermind, Vern Cotter, in June of last year. Under New Zealander Cotter, Clermont won their first ever French league title, boasted a 77-match unbeaten home streak (ending in Cotter’s last game in charge to Castres on 10th May) and played an easy-on-the-eye, powerful brand of rugby: offloads aplenty, exquisite attacking variety and hatfuls of tries.
The first shoots of progress were squashed by an almighty South African fist in the summer: Six tries in three away victories over the USA, Canada and Argentina was promising, but the Scots were cut short by the Springboks in a 55-6 trouncing. A similarly uplifting autumn campaign saw Scotland defeat Argentina 41-31, followed up by a performance which paralleled something from Braveheart, in a closely contested loss against the All-Blacks. Vern Cotter, it seems, has been instilling a tenacious desire to win in these Scotland players.
It is not only a change at the very top which has reinvigorated Scotland, however. Scrum-half and kicker Greig Laidlaw took over as captain in 2014, and appeared to be the calm and positive influence which Scotland desperately needed out on the pitch. The small, bearded, yet battle-hardened trooper plays with his heart on his sleeve, and truly sets an example to his compatriots.
Scotland’s upturn in form can also be attributed to the injection of well-coached, dazzling, young and bright talent which has emerged from the ranks of the Glasgow Warriors setup. Of the Scotland squad, released last week, almost fifty percent play for Glasgow. Last season, Glasgow finished runners-up of the Pro12. They played heads-up rugby; running into space and chucking the ball around effortlessly. Even within their forwards they had ball-players, off-loaders, smart rugby players.
What can be expected of Scotland over the next couple of months? It seems to be the unpredictability of what Scotland are going to do which is getting a lot of people excited. Their target will be, of course, to win the tournament. And for the first time in a while, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that it could happen. Realistically, they will be aiming to win their home games over Wales, Italy and Ireland; a seemingly mountainous task, but coach Cotter certainly knows what it means to make a home ground into a fortress.
Expect Scotland to play in a similar style to Glasgow, but with the accuracy of a Cotter side. Their backline will, for once, be bursting with attacking flair: Finn Russell at fly-half is creative, quick-thinking and extremely talented; Alex Dunbar proved his worth last year with some solid performances, but this year has taken his game to another level. He’s strong, quick and has good ball-skills. Tommy Seymour on the wing is a high-class finisher who always breaks the first tackle, while Stuart Hogg at full-back is a British and Irish Lion with searing pace and an eye for a gap.
In the forwards, they have the young and talented Gray brothers, tall and shaggy, yet wily and gutsy. Their back-row of Rob Harley, Blair Cowan and (probably) John Beattie is dogged and hungry; they will work together, seeking turnovers and making tackle after tackle, and will be a match for every team.
Therefore it is unsurprising that there is an air of confidence amongst the players and the supporters heading into this Six Nations campaign. Cotter, Laidlaw and Glasgow have helped to achieve an already impressive turnaround in less than 365 days; the acid test will be the next five fixtures, as they attempt to challenge and conquer Europe’s finest powers. Do they realistically have what it takes to do this? Well, realism is not an idea Mark Dodson is familiar with; he’ll be hoping they take one large step towards his ambitious target of a Grand Slam in 2016. Murrayfield dominance will be on the menu with an added dash of excitement, please.
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