THE SCOTSMAN REPORTS

Scots must throw caution to the wind and bring back fun factor
ALLAN MASSIE
NOTTINGHAM Forest had lost a couple of games and the team's confidence was low. They waited with some apprehension in the dressing-room for Brian Clough's pre-match talk. He would give them a right roasting. Instead the great man strolled in, tossed a ball on to the floor, said, "that's a football, go out and play with it," and left.

I've recounted this anecdote in these columns before now, but am happy to repeat it, because I think it exemplifies the attitude Scotland should take into their last three matches of this Six Nations. At present they look tense and unsure of themselves, making the small elementary mistakes that render coherent and successful rugby impossible. Time to tell them to go out on the field and enjoy themselves. Such an approach couldn't produce worse performances or worse results. It's not that the players aren't trying; they may be trying too hard. Collectively and individually, they are like a golfer who has missed three-foot putts on the last two greens and is now faced with another.

There's not a lot Frank Hadden can do in terms of selection. Sure, we could all name seven or eight players who might be considered, and some of them might be preferred to members of the present squad. But nobody can suppose that those on the fringes of the squad are significantly better players than those now in it. It's the attitude, even more than the style of play, that requires to be changed. We are playing limited safety-first rugby and making a mess of it. So let's try a new approach. Results couldn't be worse, and, as spectators and fans, we would all rather lose a match by five tries to three than by two or three to none. At the moment we're in a desert with no oasis in sight.

There must however surely be a change at fly-half if we are to play a more expansive game. Dan Parks isn't the whole problem, but he doesn't look like being part of the solution. He is not managing to dictate the pattern of play, and this is one reason why we are not scoring tries. His first instinct is to kick, even when, as once on Saturday, we have a four-on-two overlap. Either Chris Paterson or Phil Godman must come in at 10, preferably Paterson with the assurance that he is there for the next three games.

Up front we have been solid enough in the set-piece and our line-out has generally been adequate. But there's a sad lack of fire and our rucking has been abysmal, our counter-rucking (which is what either produces turnovers or slows up the opposition's ball) almost non-existent. We are overdoing the pick-and-drive, especially since precious little drive follows the pick. I doubt if Mike Blair has received quick clean ball six times in the last two matches.

There was little to cheer about and much to elicit groans on Saturday. Yet, playing badly, we still somehow or other got ourselves – undeservedly, you may say – into a position from which the match might yet have been won. Paterson's goal-kicking kept us in contention, and at 15-17 we might have sneaked a victory. But, just as against Italy and Ireland last year, as soon as we got within sight of a win, we let it slip. Five minutes' pressure after that last successful kick and who knows whether Wales might have lost their composure? But there was no such pressure at this, the key moment of the game.

Snatching at straws, one usually says it's not possible to play so badly again. It may also be that we have now played the two best teams in the championship. Perhaps we have, though Ireland looked in the last quarter in Paris as if they may be recovering their form of the last few seasons. Bad news if that is indeed so. On a brighter note, Simon Taylor played 20 minutes or a bit more for Stade Français against Dax on Friday, and looked in good shape and form. I'd bring him in against Ireland, and tell him he's on for the first hour and to go like hell. With Jason White currently out of sorts and quiescent, we need someone of Taylor's experience, intelligence and drive to carry the ball deep into the heart of the opposition. Surely too Ally Hogg must start.

But changes in personnel will do nothing for us unless there's a change in attitude. We may also fairly echo Frank Hadden and pray for a change of luck. Certainly the bounce of the ball has gone against us; it's cost Chris Paterson a try in each match. But that's how it goes. When a team is out of form, it's almost always out of luck too.

A final thought: if Warren Gatland hadn't persuaded Martyn Williams to emerge from his self-imposed retirement, Wales might have found themselves in our position: two down with three to play. He was the best player on the field against England at Twickenham and against us in Cardiff.

This article was posted on 13-Feb-2008, 20:25 by Hugh Barrow.