Six Nations: Scots skipper Chris Cusiter is sure Six Nations win is not far away

Published on Saturday 13 March 2010 11:11

SCOTLAND skipper Chris Cusiter today insisted the side are so close to a breakthrough Six Nations win and it could come against England at Murrayfield this evening (5pm kick-off).

As the teams get set to meet for the 127th time in international rugby's oldest rivalry, Cusiter said: "We have to get over that finishing line first. We haven't managed it yet in this championship but we are not far away."

In the event of a Scottish win, Cusiter's name will be engraved on the historic Calcutta Cup but the task of leading out the side will almost certainly go to Dan Parks on his 50th appearance.

Pledging to try to help his colleague celebrate in the best possible fashion with a win, Cusiter added: "It's a really proud moment for Dan to become only the 28th player out of more than 1000 who have played for Scotland to reach 50 caps.

"It's a huge achievement for him and he has been playing well all season so deserves it."

Referring to Parks' back-to-back man-of-the-match prizes in a losing cause, Cusiter added: "He's put in a couple of strong performances in the last couple of games. As always in a team, for him to be singled out is a credit to people around him as well but I think Dan understands that.

"If we get a win it makes it a special day for him."

Parks' career has had its ups and downs, summed up this season when he didn't even make the initial Scotland training squad.

But sheer persistence, allied to talent, caught the eye of coach Andy Robinson and Parks' team-mates have also recognised the effort that has gone in.

Nathan Hines shares with Parks the fact he was born in Australia before coming to Scotland and exercising dual nationality and he said: "Just because we came from the same part of the world before moving here doesn't mean there is any special affinity because we are proud to represent Scotland.

"But the ripples will be felt overseas where Dan's family will also share in his proud moment, as mine did on my 50th cap. It will be a really good day for Dan.

"He has had a lot of people who have said he shouldn't be in the team or isn't international class.

"He got his chance in Wales and has had two man-of-the-match performances in the last couple of games, which he'll be proud of as well as the 50th cap.

"Maybe stand off is a position where you probably are more likely to pick up individual awards although I wouldn't know the stats on that but I do know that Dan has worked hard to be where he is at."

Parks' Glasgow skipper Al Kellock, added: "I know how hard Dan works and I also know the feeling when you fall out of favour – it's a something most internationalists go through.

"Dan has worked hard to come back and now there's another player in our squad able to draw on a lot of experience, which is something that can Scotland can use to our advantage against England."

Kellock was the last man to lift a trophy for Scotland's rugby team and he pledged to do all he can to help Cusiter enjoy a similar moment with the Calcutta Cup. Kellock said: "When Chris got injured during our win over Australia in the Autumn the honour of captaining the side passed to me. It was a bit special to walk up the steps and collect the trophy that was at stake (the Hopetoun Cup) and, not only would I recommend Chris do something similar, but I'll be doing all in my power to ensure it happens."

With Australia lying third in the latest world rankings and England sixth, another scalp must be within the compass of Scotland – even if they themselves have slipped to tenth.

But Kellock is able to quantify what will be required, insisting it will take "another ten per cent" compared to recent efforts, which brought defeats to Argentina, France, Wales and Italy.

"The win over Australia will always be particularly memorable for me but, with everything that surrounds the Calcutta Cup fixture, if we could get our third successive Murrayfield win over England, that would be right up there too," added Kellock.

"We have proved we have the ability to beat a highly-ranked opponent but the task now is to stack things up by ten per cent.

"That would enable us to provide good possession that can get our back row running and deny England the type of go-forward that would create space for their backs.

"We know from watching videos precisely which areas we need to work on and, by maintaining success in some departments and adds bits elsewhere, I'm sure there will be dividends."

Scotland: H Southwell; S Lamont, N De Luca, G Morrison, M Evans; D Parks, C Cusiter (captain); A Jacobsen, R Ford, E Murray; J Hamilton, A Kellock; K Brown, J Barclay, J Beattie.

Replacements: S Lawson, G Cross, N Hines, A MacDonald, R Lawson, P Godman, S Danielli.

England: D Armitage; M Cueto, M Tait, R Flutey, U Monye; J Wilkinson, D Care; T Payne, D Hartley, D Cole; L Deacon, S Borthwick (captain); J Haskell, J Worsley, N Easter.

Replacements: S Thompson, D Wilson, C Lawes, L Moody, B Youngs, T Flood, B Foden.