When are Scotland ever going to score tries?

Published on Sunday 29 November 2009 21:48

I HAVE just returned from Murrayfield, having spent the afternoon watching a team that flattered last week (against Australia] only to deceive this (against Argentina]. I am too long in the tooth and have watched too many rugby internationals to expect a Scotland revival to last for more than one game. So, for me, the result was disappointing but not entirely unexpected. Even so, the level of incompetence, particularly in the second-half, was, at times, breathtaking.

What concerns me most is how on earth are we ever going to score any tries. The efforts against Argentina were laboured at best and the 'special moves' were highly predictable.

It seems to me that there are only two scenarios in which tries might occur in the forthcoming Six Nations. Either the opposing nations must adopt an embargo on tackling or their back divisions will have to suffer collective and simultaneous mental breakdowns. Sadly, I don't suppose their defence coaches are losing much sleep over the prospect.

Where are Andy Irvine and Jim Renwick when you need them?

DAVID HAMILL

Viewforth Place

Pittenweem

Fife

Concerned at players' spitting

Is spitting on the increase in rugby? I was disappointed to see Mat Giteau's reaction when he missed the last-minute conversion. He must have known the TV cameras were on him and he spat for all to see. Was it a sign of annoyance with himself or disrespect for his opponents? He is a great rugby player and should be aware, as all professional players should be, that the TV cameras pick up everythingon the pitch.

Football players seem to spit all the time and there was a case last season of one spitting at another player. Could this happen in rugby in the future?

GORDON TWEEDIE

Pleasance Farm

Dunbar

In the muck and in the dark at Murrayfield

Black mark to the SRU for the access procedure to Murrayfield for the match against Australia. Firstly, there was no access through the West coach park to the West Stand. The crowd had to trudge the unlit, muddy path and puddles beside the burn to the North turnstiles. But, after the match as we tramped wearily back, we saw a crowd exiting by the West coach park. Why an exit but no entry?

Secondly, as we entered the stadium around 5pm there was no lighting, and my wife nearly tripped twice trying to find her seat in the gloom. What about those who had to climb up to the Gods? Could have been a bad accident or two. Where were Health & Safety? Lo and behold, the lighting came on as the match started.

Come on SRU, pull your socks up.

W Graham Watson

Scone

Perthshire

Robinson could do a job at Hampden

After last Saturday's amazing result against Australia at Murrayfield, why not appoint Andy Robinson in a twin role as Scotland's football manager, in the hope that the Murrayfield cheers could be heard echoing around Hampden Park sooner rather than later . . . or even ever?

IAN PETRIE

High Street East

Anstruther

Fife

Rangers invited pressure with their results

So the Rangers players "crumbled under the pressure of having to win their home matches" (Report Tuesday). I foresee huge compensation claims for players under unfair pressure to win matches. Perhaps they should play only in friendly matches where the results do not matter.

PETER O'REILLY

Aspen Avenue

Glenrothes

Dundee Utd fan fed up after digesting report

I have just read Mr Halliday's match report on the Dundee United v Celtic match from 22 November. I feel this report was biased in the favour of Celtic.

I am a Dundee United fan, and I admit that I am biased towards my own team at times, but the fact that Mr Halliday mentions that Dundee United's winning goal was disputed is a joke. There were no complaints from Celtic about this goal, so why does Mr Halliday feel the need to mention it in his match report?

In my opinion the reporter favoured Celtic. There was no mention of the red card that Glen Loovens should have had for a challenge in the first half that Hugh Dallas said only a few weeks ago merits a red card. It's really annoying to go to a game, then read a report that doesn't tie up with what happened.

GREIG MARTIN

Balunie Drive

Dundee