Our most dangerous player has left
Chris Patterson, Scotland’s last truly decent point scorer has just retired at the age of 33. While not one for drop goals, the classy veteran still managed to rack up a pretty scary 809 points over his 109 caps. He was also one of the few decent Scottish players from the 2011 Six Nations and his absence will be keenly felt.
New Zealand was a wash out
We were mince at the World Cup. There we’ve said it; Scotland should have done better and nothing about that tournament suggests we’ll cause anyone in the Six Nations any harm.
We never win
In the last five years Scotland have finished 5th four times and 6th once. In the last eleven years we have won a staggering 16 games from 60. It’s hardly a record to be proud of considering the not infrequent turmoils and tribulations of our rivals.
We can’t even lose in style
Not only do Scotland fail to win regularly, they play boring rugby. When it comes to points we’ve scored barely 70 more than lowest scorers Italy and almost 500 less than Wales in the all time Six Nations rankings. Plodding and solid is ok when you win more than you lose (see England) but that just isn’t the case with Scotland.
Murrayfield is no longer a fortress
The home of rugby is, in our opinion, the most impressive stadium in Scotland. Huge and handsome, few Scottish sporting events generate the buzz a clash between the ‘Auld Enemies’ can. That said, these days the atmosphere against anyone other than England feels flat and lifeless unless Scotland take an early lead. Sure the team need to raise spirits, but the fans need to do more than Mexican waves to get the players up for it.
Even England look exciting
Worryingly, while we seem to be somewhat stagnant, opening rivals England have taken in a whole clutch of exciting young players to their squad. New intern coach Stuart Lancaster is also promising to play with the sort of verve and energy England have hardly been famous for in recent years. If it all goes to plan they could set us up early for the wooden spoon.
Image credit Neil Balderson (Shutterstock)
Not far off the mark. Scotland are hopeless.