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March 07, 2004

Painful lessons for Scotland

Posted by Editor on March 7, 2004 03:19 PM | 5 comments | Print | E-mail author
Glasgow's Gordon Bulloch believes Scotland's management and senior players face a big challenge in raising the morale of a young squad after Saturday's disappointing defeat in Rome.

Scotland came in for heavy criticism after the 20-14 defeat to Italy that leaves them odds-on favourites for this year's wooden spoon.

"Losing isn't pleasant but it's all part of the international rugby learning curve. It was also hard to take when we were jeered by some of our supporters after the game.

"But we are professionals and that's part and parcel of the modern game.

"Now the management and senior players must do all they can to help the younger players get on with the job at hand and not let the criticism grind them down."

You can read Gordon's BBC column here

Comments
Posted by A True Warrior on March 8, 2004 09:27 AM | Reply to this comment

Senior players need to raise morale that a joke its the so called senior players that are lowering the morale of the youngsters and the fans! Did anybody notice our second row, stand-off and inside centre on Saturday because in my opinion they were posted missing!

Posted by A True Warrior on March 8, 2004 09:28 AM | Reply to this comment

Senior players need to raise morale that a joke its the so called senior players that are lowering the morale of the youngsters and the fans! Did anybody notice our second row, stand-off and inside centre on Saturday because in my opinion they were posted missing!

Posted by Euan on March 8, 2004 09:40 AM | Reply to this comment

Laney has never convinced me at international level. While undoubtedly a good Super 12 player and key man for Edinburgh he has never shown the ability to make that step up for more than a few moves each match. He won't be around for much longer and (despite concerns over other parts of his game) Hinshelwood has shown he can cover the in-play kicking duties when they need to take pressure off Paterson. I can't understand why Williams doesn't give Henderson and Philip (or even some of the other young guys) a chance to build up a partnership.

Posted by hugues from france on March 8, 2004 01:46 PM | Reply to this comment

I agree with the comment above.

Williams put Gregor Townsend away....
For a lot of french Gregor was famous, even he could be genius and not good.But at least something happened.
Ok it's time to change, and there is no way to put Laney (30 ans)on the pitch for backward experience.
From my point of view, Andrew Henderson played very well during the world cup, and should play more now in the scottish squad!!!

I think Scotland should put their best players earlier at internationnal level, even with risks.

Look at some french players like Michalak, Elissalde, Harinordoquy, Traille, Jauzion.
True, these guys above played professionnal rugby very young.

Posted by Seoras MacLaumann on March 8, 2004 04:10 PM | Reply to this comment

Hey, the Italians are no soft touch.

Scotland V Italy was 14:20 , was it not?
and
the World Champions v Ireland was 13:19.

Hardly a walk over. It meant both lost by a converted try.

My disapointment was offset by Ireland's success.

Do you watch the faces of the players during the Anthems? The Irish and French show verve and panache. The English show blunt plodding determination. And our Scots boys express anxious timidity. It might be the anthem.

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