Scotland skipper seeking response

The disappointment of defeat to Wales has lingered in the Scotland camp but captain Alastair Kellock is determined to right the wrongs in Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations clash with Ireland.

Scotland suffered a 24-6 loss in an error-strewn display as Wales ended an eight-Test winless run at Murrayfield.

It was a result which left Scotland without a win from their opening two Six Nations matches and it remains possible the March 19 clash with Italy will be a Wooden Spoon decider if Andy Robinson’s men fail to beat Ireland this weekend, as in-form England lie in wait at Twickenham on March 13.

Following the loss to Wales Sean Lamont, one of seven changes to the starting XV for this Sunday’s match, called for a session of finger-pointing and honesty among the players.

Scotland reconvened earlier this week following the break in the tournament and Kellock is confident the analysis and dissection of the Wales Test can help against Ireland.

The Glasgow Warriors second row said: “Sean has spoken to us about his comments. I thought Sean spoke honestly, he then came to us and said ’look guys, I’d rather say that to your faces’.

“We had a meeting on Monday morning and there was a lot of talk.

“I wouldn’t necessarily say it was an honesty session, but we were reviewing the game.

“We were looking at ourselves first and foremost and then looking at what we wanted from each other.

“It was a good and worthwhile meeting.”

Scotland’s display against Wales was out of character for recent times, arguably the worst of Robinson’s 18-month reign.

Kellock knows his side have to be at their very best – rivalling performances in wins in Ireland and Argentina and at home to South Africa – to triumph this weekend.

“It was a tough week, last week, off the back of the Wales game,” he added.

“It’s been a gradual process because it was a difficult game to get over but we’re there.

“It’s important we move on, it’s important we focus on Ireland.

“What we’ve got to have is a performance that deserves a victory.

“We showed against Wales when we’re off par what a team can do to us.

“If we play well we have the ability to beat anybody, if we don’t then we won’t.

“We might need a bit of luck, we might need the bounce of the ball here and there, but we want to be right in the game.”

Three of the seven changes to the side were enforced, with Hugo Southwell (cheek) and Joe Ansbro (concussion) injured and Euan Murray unavailable due to his religious beliefs preventing him from playing on Sundays.

Tighthead prop Moray Low, lock Richie Gray, number eight Johnnie Beattie, scrum-half Mike Blair, fly-half Ruaridh Jackson, full-back Chris Paterson and Lamont, who will line up at inside centre, have been called into the starting XV.

Kellock is excited to see Beattie return to the side, his Glasgow team-mate having not played for Scotland since the 2-0 Test series win in Argentina following shoulder surgery.

Kellock added: “Johnnie’s a terrific player. He can do things in a game that possibly nobody else can.

“We will need to get him involved. He’ll need to work hard to get his hands on the ball and if he does that I’m sure he’ll be a big factor in Sunday’s game.”

Forward momentum will be key and Kellock hopes Scotland can dominate up front, allowing Jackson to lead the attacking options in the backs.

Jackson will be winning his fourth cap in his first Test start, but Kellock has belief that his fellow Warrior can play his usual game.

He added: “He’ll be confident, he’ll know exactly what he’s got to do.

“He’ll be well looked after and it will be about him playing his own game.”

Kellock also hopes Lamont can thrive, having performed well off the bench in the last two Tests.

“He’ll get a lot of ball at 12 and that’s a good thing because he’s been our best ball carrier,” said Kellock.

Ireland have won four of the last five meetings between the teams in Edinburgh - their only loss coming in the 2007 Rugby World Cup warm-up Test – and will be seeking to avenge last year’s loss in Dublin as they bade farewell to Croke Park.

Kellock added: “They’ll be looking to come over here and win.

“Their record is good, it speaks for itself, and shows how good a team Ireland are.

“If we’re at our best we can win the game, but we need to be right up there.”