THE HERALD REPORTS


KEVIN FERRIE, Chief Rugby Writer February 11 2008
Jeered by their own supporters and feeling scorned by the opposition, the majority of Scotland's dejected squad headed home yesterday to begin preparations for their RBS 6 Nations salvage operation.

Following the sort of week that even hardened politicians might dread, they have to work out how they have gone from a side many saw as title contenders to the tournament's whipping boys in the space of seven days.

From the oldest to the youngest member, the message yesterday was that they cannot afford to panic if they are to avoid unravelling completely.

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Nathan Hines, now the oldest squad member, was deeply disappointed in himself for throwing the reckless back-hander that floored Lee Byrne, Wales' full-back, and saw the lock sent to the sin-bin. He was even more upset about the occasion of his 50th cap ending in another defeat.

"It really hurts," said Hines. "However, we've got to continue to try to back ourselves, because it can go pear-shaped if we don't."

He was upset at having let down Scotland's supporters, many of whom were suggesting there was a lack of passion in the Scottish performance.

Hines said that had got across to them when some fans gave the players a hard time as they got on the bus to leave the Millennium Stadium. And while he accepted that they were entitled to get it out of their systems, he hoped that in the rest of the championship they would get behind a side that still has a number of inexperienced players.

"It was fair enough that they let us know how they feel, but this is the time we really need support," he added.

He admitted it had been very unpleasant to read comments from Warren Gatland, the Wales coach, that suggested his team had been able to cruise to victory in the closing stages.

"To pick up the papers and find the opposition coach saying they used the last 15 minutes to practise things was pretty tough, too," said Hines.

At the other end of the experience scale, 21-year-old John Barclay reflected on how his appearances so far had gone very differently to how he had anticipated.

Barclay said: "It is a knock to the confidence, because we had high hopes going into the competition," said the Glasgow Warriors flanker. "We've now got a longer turn-around with the two weeks before we play Ireland, so it's important to keep faith in what we're trying to do and realise that, whether things are going to plan or not, we need to work hard, be men about it and realise it will happen, but not just by doing nothing.

"Frank said this was the best squad he's had and we know it is in us somewhere, we're just struggling to find it at the moment. If people don't panic and we don't act like children about it then, hopefully, things will start to click next week."

Frank Hadden, the Scotland head coach, also said after the game that it was far from ideal that his team now have only some of their players to work with, as several head back to their English and French clubs this week.

He also has a substantial worry for at least today as he waits to find out whether Jason White, the team's captain, will be fit to lead the side out at Dublin's Croke Park.

The flanker suffered a head injury during the first half of Saturday's match and had to be replaced by Ally Hogg.

While there is no longer a minimum time-frame that players have to be left out after suffering concussion, he will have to prove he has fully recovered by undertaking a series of what are described as cog tests, which test mental function.

This article was posted on 11-Feb-2008, 08:12 by Hugh Barrow.