Rugby: Rory Lawson's set on turning it around

In a stirring call to arms, the grandson of late commentating legend Bill McLaren rallied the side after a demoralising 49-3 defeat by New Zealand last week.

"I need to see the look in the eye of the forwards and across the board see a real fire burning," he said. "If I can generate that or get it going a little bit more, I'll do that."

Those who witnessed the debacle last week will particularly appreciate the injection of controlled emotion provided by scrum half Lawson, who goes further by invoking memories of two great wins.

Asked what sort of leader he intends to be, the 29-year-old, now with Gloucester, recalled: "When I think of captaincy I think of David Sole leading out the team in 1990 (before victory in the Grand Slam decider with England) as I looked on as a youngster from the West Stand.

"But although leading Scotland out at Murrayfield is something I have given a lot of thought to, and a childhood dream come true, it won't be a career highlight until I lead the team back in victorious."

Adds the player who will be making his 21st international appearance: "My best memories in a Scotland jersey are of the series win in Argentina this summer and beating Australia (in Edinburgh last year).

"That is the standard we must maintain.

"People react in different ways to captaincy but key for me is getting the balance between being a scrum half and being at the forefront of a lot of the tactics.

"We understand the challenge against opponents who have a lot of experience and have shown quality with a couple of victories already on this tour.

"What is important is how we counter that, how effective we are against that."While last week's defeat was widely regarded as a reality check following some progress, Scotland can perhaps benefit from the infusion of five players who were not part of things and therefore undamaged by the experience.

Lawson, sidelined with a hand injury from which he is now recovered, is one.

So, too, is his former Edinburgh colleague Dougie Hall, now with Glasgow, who will be the stand-by hooker who can draw on the experience of facing South Africa three times previously.

Determined to make the most of what would be his first appearance since gaining a 31st cap almost exactly a year ago against Argentina, Hall says: "I've been kept involved, albeit on the fringes, and having that carrot has kept me wanting more.

"I'm hoping line-outs will be 100 per cent effective and our scrum dominant so that if I get on I can make an impact carrying the ball and knocking them back in the tackle.

"They are such a physical opponent that tackling is going to be a huge area for us.

"If we go out there and can smash them down we'll be in with a chance.

"For me it is about doing whatever it takes and if we have to tackle for 80 minutes and win by a single point, well, that'll be great.

"We are going to turn up and show what it means to us.

"You didn't have to play last week, just be around the squad, to know everybody is hurting and determined to ensure what happens doesn't re-occur."

Allowance has to be made for the fact New Zealand arrived at Murrayfield with a couple of tour Tests fulfilled, whereas Scotland were starting for the first time in five months.

But Hall hints that it would be dangerous to take succour from that while hoping much rust will have been shed.

"It was, in many respects, like the first game of the season.

"But international rugby is a very unforgiving place."You always expect to be measured against where you have been and the guys have been climbing. We have had a wee slip, maybe bearing in mind New Zealand very rarely make a mistake. Now we need to bounce back and learn our lessons.

"We have been shown how the No.?1 team are doing things and now there is a chance to rectify our performance against the world champions.

"Our set pieces and start plays need to be executed well."

At least there is no psychological burden attached to facing the Springboks compared with New Zealand, whom Scotland have never beaten. Some, like Jean de Villiers and Ruan Pienaar are familiar, too, from appearing in the Magners League. Does that help?

"I go into every game thinking that if everything is done well we will come out of it well," adds Hall.

"Yes, we've come across a couple of them at club level but overall these South Africans are very, very aggressive and have some exceptional units.

"A lot of analysis has been done and there is a different game plan from last week.

"We shot ourselves in the foot last week and need to go out and ensure we don't give away easy tries.

"They are as good a side as any at putting the ball in the air or pushing you back into a corner of your own half.

"Compared to when I first faced them and it was apparent they wanted to run all over you, this time seems to have added an edge with finishers all through their backs.

"Firstly we have to stand up to their pack and get dominance if we can. If we do, that we might dominate their backs as well."

Scotland will certainly be more battle hardened but will that in itself be sufficient to close the gap? South Africa, remember, are on course for a tour grand slam of these islands and won't be inclined to step aside.

This, though, must be regarded as one of the most significant internationals undertaken in modern times by the Scots in showing exactly where they are now at in world terms. Can that be the spur that overturns bookmakers odds of 6-1 against?