Warrior Swinson ready and raring for Racing re-run
TIM Swinson has already won once in Paris this season with Glasgow. Now he is out for a second win in the French capital with Scotland on Sunday – but has warned that another performance like the one against Ireland last week will be needed if Vern Cotter’s team are to claim their first victory in France since 1999.
“Whether it’s for club or country, France is a tough place to go,” the Warriors lock said yesterday.
“Racing and the French national team are two different sides, but everything is good for confidence and victories always help.
“But we’ve got to focus more on ourselves this week and play our level of game.
“There’s a great feeling within the squad. It’s the first time we’ve won the first game in the Six Nations since 2006, and I don’t think there’s anyone in the squad who had won one.
“It’s a fantastic start, but it’s one game. We’ve got to back that up by playing France and playing well again. If we play our game we can do that.”
With Jonny and Richie Gray in such good form together in the second row, when Swinson came off the bench against Ireland he went into the back row.
Although his main position is at lock, he has played on the flank before, and is ready to do so again if that is what is needed to give Scotland their best chance of winning in the Stade de France.
“It’s not something we really expected, but being on the bench you’ve got to be ready for anything. I keep saying I want to play 13, but no-one trusts me.
“It’s something I’ve done here and there for Glasgow, and I’ve done it a couple of times now for Scotland. Thankfully I’ve got a lot of good guys around me – a lot of people on the pitch I can ask to make sure I know my roles if I’m in a different position from what I’m used to.
“This week I’ve tried a bit more in training to make sure if it happens again I’ve got more of a clue than I did last week.
“Jonny and Richie are fantastic players – they really seem to work well together. One gives a lot of work rate and one gives explosion – a really good, powerful athlete.
“I’m happy to be involved and happy to help Scotland win. Use me wherever you want to.”
Skipper Greig Laidlaw, is also in confident mood, believing the team now have the problem-solvers they need if they are to stay out of trouble in Paris.
Laidlaw believes it is the consequence of the crucial lessons Vern Cotter’s men have learned about seeing out matches when they come to the crunch, as witnessed in the 27-22 victory over Ireland.
He said: “Where I feel the team have made massive strides is being able to dig ourselves out of a hole.
“After allowing Ireland to come back at us, we managed to get field positions and eventually see out the win, so it’s pleasing to know we can perform in these situations.
“We understand how we can win games from being behind. We need everything we had from the Ireland game and take that forward into the French game.”