THE SOTSMAN REPORTS
Players need more rest to compete, says Smith
DAVID FERGUSON

SCOTTISH rugby has to accept it rets its players more throughout the season if it is to compete with the southern hemisphere giants, according to Craig Smith.

The 27-year-old from Berwick-upon-Tweed makes only his second start for Scotland tomorrow, his first coming against Samoa in the autumn, having been used as the "impact" prop in a career stretching this weekend to 17 Test matches.

But, Frank Hadden, the Scotland coach, has called for the heavy artillery in an effort to give his side a chance of competing in the scrum at Port Elizabeth. Dougie Hall, a stone heavier than Scott Lawson, also returns at hooker, but Smith acknowledged that the fact Bruce Douglas, who started last week, has had little rest with the Borders and Scotland - he has started nine of Hadden's ten Tests - was also a factor.

He said: "When you're playing a whole season like we have now it's tough to go out and take on a front row like South Africa's at the end of it. I have been lucky because we have been rested a bit at Edinburgh, especially at the end of the season, and so I'm coming into this game maybe a bit fresher than some other lads. It makes a difference to know you're not totally fatigued and just hanging on; that there is something left in the tank.

"But you couldn't last until now without being rested during the season, which is something that players and supporters at home have to realise - we cannot play 80 minutes week in week out for 40-odd weeks anymore.

"In the southern hemisphere, they benefit from having different competitions blocked off."

This article was posted on 16-Jun-2006, 07:07 by Hugh Barrow.