Paterson: beating Irish a huge boost

CHRIS PATERSON hopes Scotland’s two August Tests will result in his country approaching next month’s World Cup in a more positive frame of mind than they did in 2003.

Frank Hadden’s side ended their dismal run of results — seven defeats in a row — against Ireland when they overpowered the Triple Crown champions 31-21 at Murrayfield.

They face South Africa, regarded as one of the sides who could topple favourites New Zealand, next Saturday in their final warm-up match before their World Cup campaign starts.

Victory against the Springboks would send Scotland into the campaign in a considerably more upbeat mood than they approached the last World Cup in Australia.

Then, an emphatic reverse at the hands of the Irish in a warm-up game sent panic through the party and the supporters ahead of their trip Down Under.

It was a scenario from which Ian McGeechan’s side never recovered, suffering a heavy defeat in the pool match against France before bowing out against the host nation.

Paterson, playing in his favoured stand-off role for the first time in three years, believes the efficiency displayed in the long overdue success against Ireland augurs well for next month’s challenges.

The former Edinburgh star said: “We said during the week that if there was a criticism of the build-up to the last World Cup it was that we didn’t beat Ireland and we went a bit negative after that.

“Obviously we have the Springboks next weekend but after finishing the Six Nations like we did it was important to win against Ireland. I think everyone enjoyed it — I certainly did.

“The players were certainly eager to win this one and that was our main motivation. The coaches might be looking at different things like combinations and form of players but players just want to win.

“Even at 24-21 I thought we were still going to win the game and were still controlling most of the play.”