An Ugly Scottish Win - But, We Still Won

WINNING, far less winning ugly, is not something Scotland has done too-much of in the professional rugby era. But, we have now won ugly in North and South America, so, maybe, we are making progress.

 

That said, we are still a long way from winning regularly, far less winning with style. But, these things take time and the current squad is young enough to grow into things.

 

We are far from the finished article, and I hesitate to read too much into Vern Cotter's three from three winning record. That run is very unlikely to be extended to four out of four in Port Elizabeth next week, but, if we emerge from South Africa having govem those big, bad Boks a run for their money - I will be happy.

 

Be honest, Scotland going into any international with just three or four first-choice players has, in the past, been a recipe for disappointment, if not disaster. We still butcher chances, our skills level is still appalling, but, somehow, this current lot managed to find a way to beat both Canada and Argentine. So, let's do something unScottish, puff out our chests and say: "Aye, we're winners".

 

We now have options and competition for places all over the starting XV; we have bench strength. We will not win the 2015 Rugby World Cup, but, I feel we will do a lot better than looked likely after the Six Nations.

 

Our overall rugby system still needs fine-tuning, but, let's look forward with hope for once.

 

Tommy Seymour got most of the kudos for the win in Cordoba, but, there were one or two other promising signs.

 

Ross Ford had his best all-round game for a long time - hitting his jumpers, getting across the gain line, welcome back big man.

 

Kieran Low was arguably our best source of line-out ball, while he and Blair Cowan had storming games in the loose.

 

Rob Harley was - well Rob Harley. Every Scottish team should include a big, hard-nosed, uncompromising "Ginger-nut".

 

Alastair Dickinson responded well to the rise of Gordy Reid, while Geoff Cross further emphasised the growing belief that Alan Solomons wouldn't know a good tight-head if he was mauled by one.

 

Finally, Dunky Weir isn't everyone's cup of tea, but, how lucky Toony is to have a choice between him ad#nd Finn Russell for next season. When the chips were down, the wee man (again) delivered.