'Little inaccuracies' costing Scotland despite 'right brand of rugby' says BBC pundit

Scotland’s errors are undoing their playing style – and their Six Nations Championship chances after the opening promise, says former international Johnny Barclay.

Gregor Townsend’s team defeated England in a historic win at Twickenham to kick off the campaign – but have followed the success with two narrow defeats to Wales and Ireland.

Former international Johnny Barclay insists there is nothing wrong with the Scots’ overall play – but it’s the little errors and inaccuracies that are punishing the players.

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Describing how the players will be feeling after a second loss at BT Murrayfield in a row, Barclay told BBC Sport host Gabby Logan: “This is the championship where they beat England away and promised so much and then to go and lose two home games after that – the players understand these opportunities don’t come round as often as you’d like, especially for Scotland and they’ll definitely look at this with huge frustration.”

Former Scotland captain John Barclay ahead of kick off during the Guinness Six Nations match between Scotland and Ireland at BT Murrayfield, on March 14 in Edinburgh, Scotland.  (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)Former Scotland captain John Barclay ahead of kick off during the Guinness Six Nations match between Scotland and Ireland at BT Murrayfield, on March 14 in Edinburgh, Scotland.  (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)
Former Scotland captain John Barclay ahead of kick off during the Guinness Six Nations match between Scotland and Ireland at BT Murrayfield, on March 14 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

After scoring 24 points in each defeat and still ending up on the losing side against a Johnny Sexton inspired Irish side, Barclay added: “They’re playing the right brand of rugby and their balance of kick-run-pass is very good – it’s just the ill-discipline in their game and the errors.

"Why they lost the game wasn’t their style of rugby, it was the issue that they conceded 14 turnovers and I don’t know how many of them will have been for holing on penalties. It’s just little inaccuracies and split-seconds. The game is so fast now. It’s just frustration.”

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