THE INDEPENDENT REPORTS

Alasdair Strokosch believes Scotland have more strength in depth than at any other time in their history - and insists that the squad will keep getting better.

The Gloucester flanker returned to the Scotland side for the 41-0 triumph over Canada in the final autumn Test at Pittodrie.

Strokosch and Lions star Simon Taylor were recalled to the back row in place of former captain Jason White and seasoned international Ally Hogg.

It was an indication of the quality now available to coach Frank Hadden, who also has Scott Gray, Kelly Brown and Ross Rennie to add to his breakaway options should he see fit.

Indeed it is not fanciful to suggest that Scotland are better off in the back row than any of the Home Unions, something that would have been unthinkable five years ago.

Strokosch admits the competition for places means there will always be disappointed players when every team is announced, but insists it is good for the team and their prospects in the RBS 6 Nations.

He said: "It'll be good to meet up again for the Six Nations because we've got a certain amount of confidence in the squad and with the way we're trying to play now, if we can cut out the errors then we'll definitely make the step up.

"The depth of talent is probably better than it ever has been. There's competition for just about every jersey and we're in a good position.

"We've come a long way in these three games and it's now time to keep moving forward for the Six Nations because that's where we'll really be tested.

"The competition for places has been strong for a while and probably will be for a while. It's swings and roundabouts in terms of selection - sometimes I'll be happy and other players won't be and vice versa."

The competition within the squad means players must take their chance when it is given to them.

Strokosch, who made such an impressive impact during this year's Six Nations, admits he did not grasp his opportunity with both hands against Canada.

He added: "I don't really think I took my chance all that well against Canada. I wasn't happy with my performance. I made a few errors such as the line-out miss when I took my eye off the ball and when I got turned over a couple of times.

"These are things I thought I'd got out of my game at the start of last season but they crept back in against Canada so I need to get myself mentally right and get them out of my game."

The former Edinburgh powerhouse was also frank in his assessment of how well Scotland had played, despite the 41-point victory.

He felt the team tried to play an overly expansive game without establishing sufficient platform.

The Paisley-born forward said: "It was good to get a good result like that. Maybe some factors in the performance weren't great but to score 40 points and keep them to zero is good against any international team.

"We made a few individual errors. We were very scrappy at times. We tried to play off the cuff but we played without any sort of structure at times.

"You've got to break teams down before you start playing off the cuff. Those are the little things we've got to cut out to take where we are to the next level because against better sides those mistakes would be punished.

"The conditions weren't too bad, it was cold but once you're running you didn't feel it. I can't really blame the weather for missing a line-out ball for example."

Meanwhile, debutant Max Evans is desperate to build on his first cap - and insists he will play anywhere for Scotland.

The brother of Thom, who started the autumn Tests on the right wing, Evans has been used in the centre by Glasgow coach Sean Lineen this season.

But having made his name as a winger and after making his Test bow in that position, the 25-year-old is adamant he would play either position for his country.

The former Glasgow Hawks star said: "If it is playing for Scotland I wouldn't care where I was playing. At the beginning of the season I've been playing outside centre yet I enjoyed playing on the wing last season. I like both positions.

"It felt like I was back in my centre position when I played a part in Rory's try. Frank said in the changing room after the game that there is a lot of emphasis on club rugby now in the lead-up to the Six Nations.

"If I want to stake a claim for more caps I've got to perform in the Magners League. I felt ready to come on for my debut. The running rugby and the expansive game came together while the forwards were also on top. They've worked so hard in training.

"Whereas the backs have worked on moves in a casual way the forwards have been quite drilled and regimented all week and it showed against Canada in what they did.

"No tries conceded is also a great effort and shows what hard work Graham Steadman has done during the week on our defence."

This article was posted on 24-Nov-2008, 22:10 by Hugh Barrow.