February 08, 2006

Scott's ready for Six Nations start

Posted by Editor on February 8, 2006 05:42 PM | 4 comments | Print | E-mail author

Scott is looking forward to Sunday
Glasgow's Scott Lawson is ready to take his chance for Scotland after being selected for the game against Wales on Sunday.

The 24-year-old will replace Dougie Hall at hooker for the match at the Millennium Stadium.

But, while Scott, who has earned five caps for his country including a substitute appearance against Les Bleus, was disappointed at missing out last weekend, he is relishing the chance to prove himself as the Scotland boss utilises his squad.

Scott said: "I thought it would be very hard to change a winning team. So I was delighted to get selected and I'm looking forward to Sunday now.

"I certainly wasn't expecting it. Since I have been involved though, I have learned to expect anything. It must have been hard for the coaches but I'm delighted to be involved this week.

"Frank has always said the squad is there for competition for places, which can only be good. It bodes well for the whole tournament that we have those selection 'problems', especially in the hooker position. There are three guys Frank thinks can perform in the Six Nations and we will try to put in the best display we can.

Scott believes it's his own ambition and drive that have got him to this stage.

"I was never tagged as a prospect early on, but I was always willing to put in as much work as I could," he said.

"I remember travelling every day from Biggar to Melrose and then making the leap from club rugby into professionalism before there were academies or the involvement in the Institute of Sport.

"That's great that it exists now, to help guys coming through make the change, but I feel that because it wasn't there for me I've had to earn everything that I've achieved."

Regarded as the best lineout thrower of the three hookers, Scott aims to give Scotland an advantage in that area this weekend.

"Our line-out didn't function as well as it could have done at the weekend. It is definitely a strength for us. There were a few mistakes on Sunday and, hopefully, we will fix it this week.

"It is hard because there is a lot of movement and our driving maul from the line-out was really good against France.

"The best way to achieve that is a full-man line-out but, obviously, by doing that, it gives the opposition more chances to compete."

Scott isn't averse to being involved in a rolling maul himself, even when backs like Sean Lamont get themselves involved, as in Sunday’s second try.

"I don’t know how Sean managed to worm his way in but if I'd been there, he would have been back out again sharpish," he joked.

"It's all part of our ploy, if we get one going forward like that, then Sean and Andy Henderson can come in. They're two of the most physical players in the team so why not?"

On the field against France as Scotland ground down the game, Scott accurately threw to two key lineouts at the death, which allowed the Scots to keep possession and deny France a comeback.

"That was mostly from Gordon Ross," he explained.

"He came into the huddle and said that he didn't want to see the ball for the remaining six minutes, and with experienced guys like Scott Murray and Jon Petrie in the pack we knew what to do.

"Just to be part of it on Sunday was magnificent, the buzz was fantastic."

Comments
Posted by Franklin Kirby on February 9, 2006 03:04 PM | Reply to this comment

Scotland need to put Sean Lamont at outside centre. I'm sure MacDougall is a fine player, but here is my backline. 9. Mike Blair. 10. Dan Parks. 11. Webster 12. Henderson. 13. Sean Lamont. 14 . Patterson. 15. Southwell . Lamont is somewhat wasted on the wing, and unless he includes himself in the play, he is starved of the ball, so putting him closer to the action at 13 is better as the wings are ably covered by Patto and Webster. Just my 2 pence.

Posted by on February 9, 2006 04:48 PM | Reply to this comment

Thats an intresting idea, but if you look at the hugo southwell experiment, it makes your think just because you are a good winger doesnt mean you have what it takes to play centre, also you need to be able to kick the ball which sean has improved its still not good enough. Also with webster and patterson on the wings it leaves us without any real bulk out there, i think a safer choice would be rory lamont or niki walker if we went down that road and have webster as the good impact player he is.

Posted by garyipa on February 9, 2006 05:16 PM | Reply to this comment

A better choice is to play an effing centre

Posted by McDruid on February 14, 2006 08:26 PM | Reply to this comment

Don't remember too many passes from Sean Lamont. Has he developed that skill yet?

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