Don’t mention Cardiff
Harris refuses to be haunted by memory of dire first start as he seeks revenge for 2018 drubbing
CHRIS HARRIS is raring to go against Wales this Saturday after trying to erase from his memory his disastrous first start for Scotland in Cardiff.
Even now, as he returns to the Principality Stadium in the form of his life and as his country’s first-choice centre, the 29-yearold Gloucester star is clearly unhappy whenever that game is mentioned.
The record books show that he lasted just 54 minutes of the 34-7 defeat on the opening day of the 2018 Six Nations before he was hooked and replaced by Peter Horne. He never played again in that year’s tournament.
Harris has, however, since gone from strength to strength at international level while forming a formidable centre partnership with Sam Johnson. Yet that match in Wales remains a touchy subject.
‘This always seems to crop up, doesn’t it?’ said the Carlisle-born player, who qualifies for Scotland through his Edinburgh-born grandmother and now has 18 caps to his credit.
‘I don’t think I’ve mentioned it for a year and a half. It was a game that didn’t go well for the team. I’m not really thinking about it. We’re just going to go down and play the game ahead of us as opposed to thinking about the past.
‘I think I’ve come on leaps and bounds since that first start. I’m just looking forward to the weekend. I’ve been involved in all the games in this Six Nations so far and I just want to keep playing and enjoying myself. I’m loving every minute.
‘My first start was down there and it is definitely the loudest crowd, especially with the roof shut. I don’t have a lot of experience playing there, but every player I have spoken to says it is the most exciting place to play.
‘If we win then we are likely to finish third, which would be a good outcome for us. If we lose, we could end up finishing fifth. There is a lot at stake for us, but a lot of pressure on Wales to put in a performance.’ Harris has never doubted his own ability but admitted it was a challenge to get his mind right as he moved through the ranks to the very top with Scotland. He is certainly in a good place now, with the Scots hoping to complete their fixtures with a third straight win in a tournament which has been extended until the autumn due to the coronavirus outbreak. ‘I’m a bit more mentally comfortable. That’s a big side of the game I’ve had to work on and that’s the biggest step. I’ve always had the ability to play at this level, it has just taken me a couple of goes to get it right,’ said Harris. ‘I’m enjoying my rugby and I think I’m putting in decent performances.
‘The mental side of the game is a massive thing. It is something you have to put to one side, almost, and focus on the game. You have to play the game, not the occasion.
‘I’ve never doubted myself. It is just a different stage, international rugby, it is another step up. It was the same when I was playing club rugby at the start of my career and I moved to Tynedale, it was another step up.
‘You’ve got to be mentally strong to play at any level. There are nerves, the fear that you are going to make a mistake, but you’ve got to have confidence in yourself to go out and perform.
‘On the park, I’m pretty confident with my defence. I am confident with my attack. When I get the ball, I just have to back myself and go with it.’
Harris had his best game in a Scotland jersey in Sunday’s win over France at Murrayfield that ended Les Bleus’ Grand Slam dream. Solid in defence as usual, he also had his best-ever attacking game for his country.
In a ten-minute, first-half period, he showed why he has seen off the likes of Huw Jones to make the outside centre jersey his own. First, he stopped Gael Fickou from scoring in the corner with a brave tackle, before putting in more vital challenges after the break.
He was also at the heart of most of Scotland’s attacking moves early in the second half, including breaking through two tackles to offload to Ali Price in the build-up to Sean Maitland’s second try.
It was a superb all-round performance from the man who has made the No 13 jersey his own during this Six Nations.
‘I’m happy overall with how I played against France but there’s always room for improvement,’ said Harris. ‘You always look back at your game and see where you can get better. You never just accept your performance. Well, I don’t anyway.’