Praise for departing Cotter who has started road to resurgence

SCOTLAND ITALY SKIPPER John Barclay thanked Vern Cotter for putting Scotland back on a winning path - but admits his side still have a long journey ahead if they want lasting success.

Cotter bowed out as head coach after guiding the Dark Blues to their third victory of this year’s RBS 6 Nations with a 29-0 drubbing of Italy.

Three years on from finishing last without a win, they now end the championship with their first hat-trick of wins since 2006.

That feat comes after a campaign that has seen a number of nagging statistics put to bed.

They had not kicked off the tourna- 29 0 ment with a win for 11 years but ticked that off by beating Ireland on the opening day. A first win over Wales in a decade was achieved last month.

Finn Russell, Matt Scott, Tim Visser and Tommy Seymour all crossed over against the Azzurri to ensure their team finished with 14 tries from five games - a record haul for Scotland.

Yet long losing streaks in Paris and London endure, with last week’s record-equalling 40-point thrashing from England a reminder of the lengths Scotland have to go.

The responsibility for that will now fall to Glasgow coach Gregor Townsend, who replaces Cotter this summer.

But stand-in captain Barclay hailed the departing coach for starting the process.

“We didn’t really speak about it being Vern’s final game,” he said. “These games are difficult enough without extra pressure.

“But the whole coaching team is moving on and I think everyone who was involved felt it important to finish on a high.

“I think we have had some good wins, particularly the Irish win and Wales.

“But if you want to look at records then look at England.

“We are very proud of what we have achieved but I think there is more from the group.”

The Scots were desperate to give their coach the standing ovation he deserved as they brought the curtain down on the Cotter reign.

They were forced to battle past Italy’s stodgy tactics but got their reward when Russell snuck through after 28 minutes, while substitute Scott dotted down two minutes before the break.

Touchdowns from Visser and Seymour after the break secured the bonus point and perfect farewell gift.

Cotter refused to dwell too much on the role he has played in Scotland’s resurgence.

But he did confess to feeling a hint of satisfaction after his team bounced back from their Twickenham humiliation to beat Conor O’Shea’s side.

“I’m very pleased, coming from a game at Twickenham, to keep a team try-less,” Cotter said. “The three wins is great. It’s a reflection of the work these guys put in.”