Beattie: Scots’ dismal start down to players

Scotland forward Johnnie Beattie has rejected the flak aimed at head coach Scott Johnson – insisting the sole responsibility for the Dark Blues’ dismal start to the RBS 6 Nations rests with the players.

The Montpellier number eight is a surprise starter for tomorrow’ clash with Italy in Rome after David Denton was chosen to kick off the humiliating losses to Ireland and England which saw the Scots ship almost 50 points while scoring just three.

The painful 20-0 defeat to the Auld Enemy has produced a furious backlash, with angry former players queuing up to criticise Australian Johnson. Lions prop Peter Wright branded the Sydney native a “joker” while 23-cap scrum-half Andy Nicol questioned whether Johnson – who will step up to become the Scottish Rugby Union’s director of rugby in the summer when Vern Cotter arrives to take over coaching responsibilities – and his assistants were good enough to lead Scotland.