Scotland number eight Johnnie Beattie insists his side are in contention for the Six Nations after defeating Italy.
Four teams are now level on two points behind England who top the table, and Beattie believes that Scotland can increase their chances further with victory over Ireland when the Six Nations returns in two weeks.
"Everyone is in it, it's a very open championship, so there is absolutely no reason why not," said Beattie.
"The next challenge is very different with Ireland around the corner, but we are looking forward to taking it on and seeing how far we can go.
"The Irish team's attack is very different, there is maybe a bit more subtlety.
"There will be different types of test but if we can get our line speed, get off the line and chop people the way we did against Italy, there is absolutely no reason why we can't replicate what we did on Saturday.
"The Italian forward pack is an absolute juggernaut so to defend in the manner we did and to hold them out was fantastic."
Comments
porridge_time says...
rugby_rockstar says...
Totally agree with you, one interesting and pleasing aspect was the almost eradication of the unforced errors which has blighted the team for years.
Ireland will not be happy with their last outing and its down to Scotland to not only subdue them early on, but to gain more possession and use it well. Converting the scoring opportunities will be more important as there is to be less of them.
Posted 23:29 13th February 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
If form continues the way its going then they can beat France and Wales and give Ireland a tough game. The trick is Scotland's own consistancy. They were playing great vs NZ and SA in the autumn and we all know what happened next...
Posted 09:40 13th February 2013
porridge_time says...
Beattie has said nothing controversial or shown any sign of over confidence, but merely highlights that with two games gone its pretty open.
Why not challenge the quality of the journalism?
Posted 04:48 13th February 2013
Michtymauler says...
Ah melkdave it's the professional era and the media expect and pressure the teams for players comments. I don't think Beattie and co are getting carried away. Their pack still needs to toughen up and get some more ball for a potentially great set of backs.. After watching the other two boring matches I think Ireland will be taking their trip to Edinburgh seriously..
Yeah Preest, i agree with ExiledAl now put yer dummy tit back in and tell yer mommy you just filled yer diaper!!! ;-))
Posted 21:25 12th February 2013
ExiledAl says...
PREEST - Read one misleading headline and all of a sudden go off the deep end? Oddly enough, the thing you appear to be whining about is prevalent in your post, but not in what Beattie actually said. You remind me of those cats going mental at what Telfer said the other week, and then without a hint of irony announcing that England were going to beat Scotland by 50 points.
Posted 09:47 12th February 2013
PREEST says...
Beat Italy and all of a sudden you can win the championship? No way. This is England's tournament to loose. If they didn't go on to win it from here it would be, in my view, a massive failure. Scotland might be able to beat the ghtless French but I don't think they will beat Wales or Ireland.
Posted 03:36 12th February 2013
kybone says...
melkdave- Im not sure i read it the same as you. It sounds to me like all he is saying is that they are in with a shout. He goes on to say that IF they can stop the Irish attack then he sees no reason why they cant come out on top of that game. Im not sure that equates to shouting the odds.
Posted 23:51 11th February 2013
pentwynfarm says...
It's funny that England are always the ones being labelled as arrogant. I don't read anything from them talking their chances up for the rest of the tournament. Plenty from Wales and Scotland though.
Posted 22:26 11th February 2013
melkdave says...
Again players getting carried away and shouting the odds.Why oh why cant they just be quitely confidant ,and not give motavasion to others.Halfpenny,Beattie whos next i wonder.
Posted 19:13 11th February 2013