Sean Maitland hopes last week's Six Nations win over Ireland could be the beginning of a new era for Scotland under Australian boss Scott Johnson.
The gutsy 12-8 win at Murrayfield followed a victory over Italy and saw Scotland enjoying back-to-back Six Nations triumphs for the first time since 2001.
It also left Scotland level on four points with second-placed Wales in the Championship.
"It's a pretty great feeling," said former Crusaders finisher Maitland, drafted in by Johnson this year.
"This is just the start for our team."
Scotland's defeat of Ireland was a triumph of team spirit, with the Irish dominating more than 70 per cent and territory and scoring the game's only try.
But they failed to kill the game off and Scotland, from 8-0 down early in the second half, saw their forwards provide a platform for scrum-half Greig Laidlaw to kick them into a winning position with four penalties.
Ireland did have one final chance to salvage a win but with 80 minutes up and in the last play of the game, debutant centre Luke Marshall knocked in sight of Scotland's try-line.
"I was really scared," said Maitland. "I thought they were going to get in for a try. But to hold out and show our courage on defence was very pleasing.
"It just shows the character of the men in this side."
Comments
melkdave says...
@Porridge_Time
Whats wrong with me wanting the BRITISH teams to be doing well??If they're playing well it means more choice for WG to pick from for the Lions,and a victorious Lions tour ,will lift the sprits of everyone,,and give every home nation hope of duing well in the RWC. in 2015.It will also show that despite what our SH cousins may think,we can play good rugby in the NH.Wouldnt it be great if the SH nations toured Britain with trepadation ,rather than confidance for once??You may keep your narrow view my friend ,myself id rather keep our sporting rivialies,and have 4 very good world class teams ,pushng eachother to play better,smarter ect.It has absolutly nothing to do with flag waving as far as im concered.I just want to see the best rugby being played in Britain.
Posted 11:43 02nd March 2013
porridge_time says...
As a BRIT i want all our teams to be playing well... yea right! Somewhat off topic, but Britain is poked. This constant British imperialist flag waving is nauseating to the extreme.
Posted 00:56 01st March 2013
passtheball says...
Yes agree that Maitland is not being set up by the insides but its good to see the confidence emanating from him. He made the right decision it seems as he was not going anywhere in Chch.
Posted 12:52 27th February 2013
scot_rsa says...
Sorry folks, too early to say if Scotland are on the up. I'd like to think so but we've stabilised at best. Wales will run the ball, something we haven't done from phase play except against a poor Italy. Jury still out until evidence presented. Mr Maitland needs to be given the ball with one defender to beat. Not catch it in his own half with 15 defenders in front of him. Same for Hogg & Visser.
Posted 12:13 27th February 2013
melkdave says...
1st up i have to say ,i hope S.Maitland is right and its a new era for Scotland.As a BRIT i want all our teams to be playing well,and bring the best out of eachother for the RWC in 2015 and beyond.I would be overjoyed if the SFs teams where England-Scotland-Wales and Ireland of course i cant really see that happening,but hey we all can dream For too long imo,Scotland havent realy been playing to their full potential,perhaps now thats changing .I for one certainly hope so..
Posted 10:17 27th February 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
well Scotland are at murrayfiled again so, out of Scot v Wales and Eng V Italy It's kinds obvious that Wales have the trickier test. Scotland are more than capable of bursting the Welsh bubble. Ooops! I just did a Mike Ruddock! Sorry, I mean that Wales are going to smash Scotland with their eyes closed and the shoe laces tied together ;)
Posted 09:37 27th February 2013