CLAIMS that the current Scotland team is the best this century have been dismissed as flattering but irrelevant by assistant coach Jason O’Halloran.
Both Jim Telfer and Alan Tait, the head coach and player respectively when Scotland won the last Five Nations Championship in 1999, have said that the current national side is the best since then.
But, as he prepares for Saturday’s first match of this year’s Six Nations Championship, O’Halloran insisted that no matter how good the team is at present, it is still short of its peak.
“Ultimately this team will be at its best in a couple of years’ time when you get more guys around that 50-cap mark and we continue to grow our leadership,” he said.
“It’s a flattering comment, but it doesn’t give us any points when we start against Ireland.
“What it does give us is combinations and a bit more confidence, which you need in big games, but it doesn’t give us a five-point start against Ireland or anything like that so it’s of no tangible benefit.”
O’Halloran also revealed that a decision had yet to be taken on Duncan Taylor’s match fitness, making it more likely that Huw Jones will partner Alex Dunbar at centre. “I think we’ve still to decide on Duncan’s availability, but Huw is ready to play,” the coach added.
“Huw has brought us pace, great footwork, and he can distribute either way, which is uncommon for a guy who has played in the midfield in South Africa. Normally they are straight up and down sort of guys who lack ball skills.
“But he can do all that, he can grubber kick – he’s got one of the most rounded skill-sets I’ve seen.
“Obviously what we’ve seen so far is the feet and the speed, but he can distribute the ball really well,” O’Halloran added.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here