THE HERALD REPORTS

Metcalfe confident Scotland can finally end a decade of hurt
NEIL DRYSDALE January 30 2009
Glenn Metcalfe spoke quietly, striving hard not to alert the fish to his presence on an angling assignment in New Zealand.

The former Scotland full-back sounded so relaxed, it was difficult to recall the intensity and penetration which he and colleagues such as John Leslie, Alan Tait and Gregor Townsend brought as catalysts for a remarkable triumph in the last Five Nations tournament.

Ten years on - in which time Scotland have not won the Six Nations - Metcalfe is optimistic that the new generation of Scottish talent can end a decade of hurt in the next couple of months.



"That Five Nations year was one where everything gelled and we had the right ingredients of guys who could act as enforcers, such as John and Alan, and those who could produce spontaneous moments of magic, with Gregor to the fore," said Metcalfe, who won 38 caps and played in two World Cups.

"John Leslie had a big part in it and he deserved his award as man of the tournament, because his physicality complemented the way that Taity and Gregor would look for different angles of attack, and we were never afraid to think on our feet.

We proved in ’99 the nation has no need to have an inferiority complex
"The backs always tend to get the lion's share of the credit in these situations, but we had a pack who worked their socks off to gain a decent supply of possession and we wouldn't have scored as many tries 16 in four matches without them driving into the sort of positions from where we could burst through the opposition defence.

"It was a terrific experience to be involved with that team and we showed that Scotland has no need to have an inferiority complex about taking on the bigger countries if they trust their instincts and master the basics."

A decade later, the Scots are entering the Six Nations campaign with a palpable sense of confidence.

Metcalfe believes Frank Hadden's men are genuine title contenders, and the 38-year-old is especially supportive of Townsend's appointment as backs coach.

"I've always thought Gregor had the skills and ideas to take on a job like this and I expect him to bring some new things to the party, because he has the raw material to work with, on the evidence of what I saw from the autumn Tests against New Zealand and South Africa.

"The Scots know they have a pack which will win a lot of ball and they have options in almost every position. Just as importantly, with the likes of Thom Evans and Sean Lamont and Ben Cairns, they have plenty of pace, which is a huge thing and the Evans boys have seriously impressed me. They have a nose for the line and an elusive quality and I reckon they will become even more dangerous with Gregor's help.

"As for the Six Nations, it looks very open, which, again, is similar to 1999. France and England are in transition, the Irish are perhaps not the force of old and Scotland have three home games, which should be an advantage. Wales have been terrific in the last 12 months, and will probably start as favourites, but I don't think that their pack will fancy tackling Euan Murray, John Barclay, Nathan Hines and Jason White in Edinburgh, so why shouldn't Scotland be confident? They certainly have the platform to do well."

This article was posted on 30-Jan-2009, 08:49 by Hugh Barrow.