Disappointing Scots need to change

Scotland came bottom of the Six Nations championship

Scotland played conservatively, working on defence and depending on the goal kicking skills of their skipper Chris Paterson.

They lacked flair and their fans are getting increasingly dispirited.

Writing in the Sunday Herald, former Scotland and Lions outside half, Craig Chalmers, summed it all up. "Game after game, you look at the way Scotland play and start to wonder 'if only'.

"If only they would not give away soft scores, if only they would capitalise on phase after phase of rock-solid defence. And, most of all, if only they would go for it and show a bit of ambition" he said.

Chalmers was also critical of the Scots obsession with the pick-and-drive game particularly against France. "It was slow and got nowhere. The ball got stuck in the next ruck and by the time it emerged the French had enough time to go to the hairdressers and still be back in time to be in position for their defensive chores".

The team has worked hard in defence but that is expected of any team these days.

Part of the problem has been selection. Ask any Scots fan who should be at outside half and the answer would be Paterson. He is the people's choice but not Frank Hadden's.

Instead Hadden went for two players, Dan Parks and Phil Godman, who both lack the complete package for the number 10 position. Yet the evidence was there when Paterson moved to outside half in the later stages of Scotland's games and provided the spark that was missing.

Hadden's selection at centre could also be questioned. Scotland's midfield play looked stodgy and might have improved with a look at players such as Simon Webster, Nick De Luca, Robbie Kydd and Ben MacDougall.

There are some encouraging signs with new talent emerging, notably flanker Kelly Brown and tighthead prop Euan Murray. To this list can be added Leicester lock Jim Hamilton, Gloucester scrum half Rory Lawson, full back Rory Lamont and Glasgow back rower Johnnie Beattie.

But the Six Nations appears to have done little to develop Scotland's attacking game and that is a worry before the World Cup.