Scotland’s best performance in the Six Nations since 2006 and their maiden Southern Hemisphere series’ victory has led many to believe that the Thistles may be on the verge of turning around what has been a dismal run in the last decade and a struggle at the top level that has occurred for the last century.
While Andy Robinson appears to have invigorated the team, one must not get too excited if taking into account the trend of false dawns set by Scotland.
When Frank Hadden took over for his first test match against Romania in June 5, 2005, few could have predicted the impact he would have had in the subsequent Six Nations 2011.
He led his team to an opening round win over France at Murrayfield, and would follow this up with the prized scalp of England and a win over Italy in Rome to achieve what was only Scotland’s second top half table finish since the competition expanded to include the Azzurri.
England V Scotland Hospitality
Scotland V England Hospitality
They were only the third nation in 20 tests to keep Australia from scoring more than one try, and from there the first pillar was laid.
And in the Six Nations 2010, the Scottish loose forwards came of age, with John Barclay, John Beattie and Kelly Brown finishing the competition as arguably the form back row in Europe.
The confidence permeating the squad is best encapsulated by Dan Parks, who looked consigned to the international scrapheap before rising to play his best rugby under Robinson, collecting three man-of-the-match awards during the Six Nations.
A litmus test if there ever was one, but a promising showing against New Zealand and South Africa on their autumn internationals will see them approach the Six Nations 2011 at the very least as the darkest of horses.
England V Scotland Hospitality
Scotland V England Hospitality
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