Here are a few things that Scotland should have learned from their victory over Italy yesterday that can provide a basic platform for the rest of the tournament. To be honest, they should know this as these are basic tenets of rugby. And have been for quite some time.
1) Fix the set-piece and the rest is made easier
The scrum was a mess until Cross came on, but the lineout was immaculate and stole 2 opposition chances. Gray, Hamilton and Lawson all played the full 80 minutes and should be rewarded with their places against France. If they could secure scrum ball too the backline will get more chances to attack. Tighthead is a worry but Scotland were a lot better with Cross playing and despite his lack of game time should be given the start against France who are traditionally a strong scrummaging side but looked poor against Wales. We have to play both of those packs still in the tournament so time to bed in the new look front row now.
2) Move it out quicker
Quicker delivery from the base of the scrum and ruck helps 10-15 immeasurably. Cusiter sped up the game when he came on and combined with tiring Italians, suddenly Scott and Dunbar were finding holes everywhere. In my view he should start against France to provide this impetus from the start, although it is unlikely Johnson will drop another captain. On the flip side when the ball was static and further delayed by Laidlaw crabbing sideways with a solid defensive line ready and waiting, even players with quick feet like Stuart Hogg were unable to find any space and Scotland moved backwards.
3) Hold on to the ball and you can do stuff with it
Weir kicked almost nothing until he was playing for territory late in the game. By that point the momentum was with Scotland and his kicks were pinpoint accurate. There was very little ping-pong throughout the game, and small chips were only taken when they were on. The only standout exception was Seymour’s kick ahead early in the game where you would have liked him to back himself. The negative kicking tactics that we saw against England that failed so miserably were gone, and with them the sight of back three players running back counter-attacking ball at tiring Scottish backs. Instead, Lamont and Hogg were able to do the attacking in greater space.
4) The back row blend isn’t quite right yet
Beattie brought back the desired swashbuckling and offloading and is probably good for his place at 8. Fusaro too played very well during his time on the pitch and has continued to show the benefits of having someone keen to scrabble about in the rucks so at this stage I don’t think replacing him with either Rennie or Barclay would be prudent.
But I still feel we could get more at 6, although Wilson probably had his best game so far of his time there against Italy. Either Brown or Denton could fit in there and the other offer impact from the bench. Denton in particular might profit from the chance to run hard at tired defenders so is probably best situated there.
5) Stop your opponents from coming back at you
Scotland won, but it still came down the last kick from Weir to win it. They scored two good tries but let Italy straight back in after the second for a try of their own. Jubilation after a score can soon turn to misery as lapses in discipline and concentration continue to cost Scotland. If they can get these under control, and take their scoring chances – off a stable platform there are the players to do this in Dunbar, Hogg and Scott (and Maitland to come) – then the scoreboard gaps will be a lot harder for the opposition to close and the nerves will be less for Scotland in closing the game out.
The performance against Italy was not too ambitious and should provide a solid base-level for Scotland performances going forward at least until Vern Cotter arrives and the intent should be notched up a bit.
Forget these lessons, and Scotland will slip back to the doldrums once again.
Here’s the team I would pick to face France, fitness permitting:
Possible Scotland XV: 15 Hogg, 14 Seymour, 13 Dunbar, 12 Scott, 11 Lamont, 10 Weir, 9 Cusiter (c); 1 Grant, 2 Lawson, 3 Cross, 4 Gray, 5 Hamilton, 6 Brown, 7 Fusaro, 8 Beattie.
Bench: Dickinson, McArthur, Welsh, Swinson/J Gray, Denton, Laidlaw, Taylor, Evans