THE PIPES have stopped their skirl. The flags are at half mast, unruffled by a gust. Andy Robinson has abdicated his post at the top of Scotland’s game and few can muster the spirit to pass him on with more than a round of applause.
Scotland
Scots fail by playing Springbok games
Posted 186 days ago
SOMETHING WAS wrong. It did not sit right. Scotland were heading into a game off the back of a colossal All Black drubbing and they were…confident. While South Africa sent the walls shuddering, as they marched into Murrayfield, the fans in tartan were jovial, nay optimistic, and all at once setting themselves up for a fall.
Scotland 10 South Africa 21: The Verdict
Posted 186 days ago
Two things counted against Scotland in the final analysis. They allowed South Africa to build up a 21-3 lead in the first 45 minutes thanks to a few crucial errors and acts of indiscipline, and when they did summon a sustained head of steam in the last half-hour they were thwarted by a truly outstanding Springbok defence.
Scotland v South Africa: The Preview
Posted 189 days ago
TWO YEARS ago, Scotland went into a Murrayfield Test against South Africa on the back of a 46-point defeat by New Zealand and upset the odds to win 21-17. Last Sunday the Scots lost 51-22 to the All Blacks, so they need to show similar character and resilience to defeat the Springboks in Edinburgh this Saturday.
Missing the party: Four players not invited this Autumn
Posted 190 days ago
THE FIRST round of the Autumn Internationals has been and gone and happiness isbeing found in some unlikely places.
England rumbled onwards, despite chronic wastefulness. Ireland got up close to the Boks, despite notable absences. France dealt with the Wallabies precisely, despite their inherent unpredictability. Scotland celebrated their try scoring form, despite a hefty thumping from the All Blacks.
Scotland outclassed by peerless All Blacks
Posted 192 days ago
MURRAYFIELD MAY have hosted the world famous All Blacks, but the only way to see the game properly was in a pub where the sounds of the football drowned everything else out. Without the predictable analysis, the in-play commentary, the clichés or even Twitter, it is possible to assess a heavy loss, live.
Scotland 22 New Zealand 51: The Verdict
Posted 193 days ago
THREE TRIES in eight first-half minutes enabled New Zealand to take the game away from Scotland after a hard-fought first quarter, with the world champions showing their class with some sublime play.
Scotland v New Zealand: The Preview
Posted 196 days ago
SCOTLAND BEGIN their programme of EMC Internationals looking for a fourth win in succession, after a clean sweep on their summer tour of Australia, Samoa and Fiji. Their opponents are in a different position, aiming to start a new run of victories after their run of 16 consecutive wins was halted by their 18-18 draw with Australia last month.
The low-down on Scotland captain Kelly Brown
Posted 199 days ago
SARACENS No 8 Kelly Brown will captain Scotland against the world champion All Blacks at Murrayfield on Sunday – winning his 50th cap in the process. As the 30-year-old, who made his Test debut against Romania in 2005, seeks to lead his country to a first-ever win over New Zealand, we found out a little more about him. Here’s his…
Five Lions ‘bolters’ to tour Australia
Posted 208 days ago
EVERY FOUR years, a player not considered for the Lions tour suddenly finds themselves on the plane, regardless of Test experience or age. Ahead of the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia next summer, here are five potential ‘bolters’:
