Scott Hastings: Scotland must profit from winning start
20 JAN 1996: Scott Hastings and Rob Wainwright of Scotland celebrate after Scotland's 16-10 victory over Ireland in the Five Nations Championship match at Lansdowne Road, Dublin, Ireland. Mandatory Credit: David Cannon/ALLSPORT
Scott Hastings insisted that Scotland need to capitalise on momentum ahead of their round two Six Nations clash with a wounded Welsh side at Murrayfield this weekend.
The Scots recorded a famous bonus-point victory over England at Twickenham last Saturday to open their campaign, a win which saw them equal their all-time high in World Rugby rankings, leapfrogging England into fifth place.
Speaking on The Rugby Paper Podcast, Scottish legend Hastings, who won 65 international caps for his country, urged Scotland to piggyback off their momentum to back up their stunning opening-round win.
He said: “I think in sport momentum is absolutely crucial and Scotland certainly have momentum.
“If Scotland play like that on Saturday against Wales, Murrayfield will be electric and that atmosphere counts for a lot.
“The confidence is there in the camp, they need to now stand up and back up that display on Saturday, deliver another 80-minute performance and then they can go to France and worry about that one then.”
Gregor Townsend’s side have the chance to win their opening two Six Nations games for the first time in 27 years as they host last-placed Wales on Saturday afternoon.
After Warren Gatland‘s side were thumped 34-10 by Ireland in Cardiff last weekend, Hastings further insisted that this is the time for Scotland to make a statement against a vulnerable Welsh outfit, despite the record between the two sides in recent years.
He said: “They know that they haven’t performed in round two over the last two years, it’s now time to do that and I think Gregor Townsend will be reminding all the Scots that they need to stick to their guns, stick to their game plan and still play with that confidence.
“Scotland just have to keep that scoreboard ticking over and not get complacent, think of what they do well and they will gain that confidence from the crowd and from within that allows that momentum into winning a game of rugby against a Welsh team that will respond, but are there to be taken this time round.”
In the previous two editions of the tournament, Scotland have followed a similar pattern with opening-round victories against England being followed by defeats to Wales in round two.
“Wales will have a bounce back at some point but hopefully it’s not on Saturday!” Hastings cordially added.
A win this weekend would propel Scotland well into the conversation of competing for the Six Nations title would give them the chance to move top ahead of the two-week break especially considering the two favourites, Ireland and France, meet in Dublin on Saturday.
Written by Cam Stephens
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