Six Nations: Vern Cotter says corner isn't turned yet

SCOTLAND coach Vern Cotterremained cautious yesterday, despite his side ending their nine-game losing run in the Six Nations with a 36-20 triumph over Italy in Rome.

Picture: TSPL

After a promising World Cup campaign was followed by defeats at home to England and away to Wales in Cardiff, Cotter was reluctant to claim that some sort of corner had been turned.

“There are no guarantees in the game,” said the Kiwi. “We are not going to see this as some sort of great release and Scotland is going to win every game for the next 20 years. It is not going to happen.”

That much is certain but at least the first championship win for two years has lifted some of the gloom that had descended upon the Scottish game.

Cotter was unlucky in that his team had to face the two best sides in the championship on the first two weekends, so the Scots were unable to gather momentum. Next up is a home game against a French team that is a long way off the best in the world.

“It is important to cele­brate it [the victory] because it has been a long time coming,” Cotter said. “The challenge is now against France and that will be tough. After a few days of recovery we will try to put in a plan to help us win.”