Douglas in rallying call to Scotland 'A' squad

SCOTLAND prop Bruce Douglas has called on the 'A' team to show more discipline and cut out the sevens-style rugby to salvage pride in their final IRB Nations Cup match against Argentina's second-string in Romania tomorrow.

While Andy Robinson's Scotland squad are bidding for a second Test win against the Pumas in Mar Del Plata, 43-times capped Douglas is in Bucharest with the 'A' squad looking for their first tour win after suffering defeats to Georgia and Namibia.

Coach Sean Lineen has a young squad and many players who were virtually the last professionals left standing when the full squad and under-20s were selected, and others left at home to rest injuries.

Worcester-bound Douglas has brought some crucial experience to the squad and he is striving to instil some pragmatism to the team ahead of their final match with the Argentina Jaguars.

He said: "We've been close on the scoreboard in the two games, leading at half-time, but have not closed them out.

"In this heat maybe our fitness has been an issue, because we're playing a bit too much rugby and our fitness has not coped with that over here.

"We need to consolidate a bit more and play a bit more territory and put pressure on the opposition.

"Hopefully, we'll be more strict on ourselves with the areas of the field we're playing in, and put more pressure on Argentina with our kicking game, instead of just running it a lot.

"We've been running a lot out of our 22 without getting any rewards, so we'll be looking to play with more discipline.

"We can't go home with three losses from the Nations Cup so we need a win this weekend at all costs."

Douglas, at 30 still relatively young for a Test prop, has enjoyed his return to a national squad four years since his last cap.

He explained the personal feel-good factor which has acted as a contrast to the 'A' team's fortunes, and added: "Andy Robinson will watch the games and hopefully I'll get some feedback from him after the tour.

"It would be terrific (to win a 44th cap], but it's just nice to be back involved.

"Euan Murray is a good player, Moray Low has played very well against Argentina and Geoff Cross is a good player at Edinburgh as well, so it will be tough, but I'm dead keen to get back in if I can get the chance."