Wright and Bulloch believe Strokosch was missed against Wales

Former Scotland international players John Beattie, Peter Wright and Gordon Bulloch believe head coach Frank Hadden picked the wrong team to face Wales.

The Scots were beaten 26-13 at Murrayfield in their Six Nations opener against the Grand Slam champions.

"Scotland have to take a long hard look at their selection and some of the players have to look at themselves too," Wright told BBC Scotland.

"I just think Scotland picked the wrong team to start with," agreed Beattie.

Wales eased to victory with tries from Tom Shanklin, Alun-Wyn Jones, Leigh Halfpenny and Shane Williams.

A late score from substitute Max Evans was the best the home side could muster in reply, with fellow replacement Chris Paterson scoring the rest with his boot.

Hadden had surprised some with his starting XV with the omissions of top points-scorer Paterson, and the in-form Evans brothers, Max and Thom.

And former Scotland prop Wright said that team selection was off the mark.

"It's picking the right guys and playing a game that suits those guys," said Wright.

"I think back row Scott Gray came on and did okay, but Kelly Brown and Alasdair Strokosch should be ahead of him in the pecking order.

"Ben Cairns at centre has quality, but unless you're going to play the ball to him you don't pick him. He's not there for the defence or a hit-up game.

"I think Phil Godman played well, he got guys into the game, but we tried to use Graeme Morrison too much at number 12."

And Beattie, who played 25 tests for Scotland at number eight, said the errors in selection were plain to see.

I think sometimes Frank Hadden has got to be a little bit more inventive Former Scotland prop Peter Wright

"The punters know as well as we do that they picked the wrong team, and only played the rugby that would win the game late on," said Beattie.

"If you don't pick Thom Evans and Max Evans, the two best strike runners in Scottish rugby, you're not picking the best players.

"To my mind, I think that without (Nathan) Hines and (Euan) Murray our pack was severely depleted. And I would pick Al Kellock ahead of Jason White."

Wright added that the tactics did not match the team selection, and that the combination of the two allowed the Welsh to boss the game for the first hour.

"You have to score 25-30 points to win international games, and you don't do that playing the ultra-safe way we did in the first half," added Wright.

"It was almost like we were trying to live off Wales' mistakes.

"For the last 20 minutes we dominated and played the way Scotland like to play.

"If we do that for 80 minutes we probably give ourselves a better chance of winning the game.

"I think sometimes Frank Hadden has got to be a little bit more inventive."

Former Scotland captain Bulloch agreed that the side required the presence of Gloucester flanker Strokosch.

"When you look at the back row that Wales bring, with the physicality, you look at a big guy like Strokosch who stands up, demands the guys around him to make big tackles, and carries the ball," he said.

And both Beattie and Wright were of the opinion that Scotland lacked a motivational force behind the scenes.

MY SPORT: DEBATE How do Scotland fans feel about the starting XV against Wales?

"I think the team is a reflection of the coach. I'm not sure Scotland has that ruthlessness that former coach Jim Telfer brought to the team," said Beattie.

Wright added: "I think there's a fear factor in the Welsh team and they're absolutely petrified to go into the dressing room after the game because Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards will go right through them.

"I don't think we have a bad cop in the Scotland dressing room."

"Next weekend we go to Paris, and the selection is going to be crucial against France. Frank Hadden has to get the right players on that pitch."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version