BARCLAY EXCITEDBY SIXNATIONS PROSPECTS

John Barclay admits he would find it very difficult if he was still playing not to get a “little excited” over Scotland’s chances of winning the Six Nations following their stunning opening-day victory over England.

But the former Scotland skipper has backed the squad’s senior players – including captain Stuart Hogg and pivot Finn Russell – to ensure there will be no one looking too far ahead against Wales tomorrow.

With Wales, Ireland and Italy to face at Murrayfield and the win against the Auld Enemy already in the bag, Barclay feels the clash with France on February 28 could prove “monumental”.

Scotland have never won the Six Nations, with their last championship success coming back in 1999 in the final Five Nations before Italy were introduced to expand the competition.

However, after the massively impressive performance in sweeping aside tournament favourites England at Twickenham last weekend, and the Six Nations win against Wales in October, Barclay accepts there are huge grounds for optimism this year.

He said: “There’s three home games left, finishing with two home games, and with all due respect to Italy they look like they’re still miles away from where they need to be.

“For me, with Wales coming up, Scotland will take a lot of confidence from the game down at Parc y Scarlets.

“So, without getting too far ahead, France away becomes monumental if Scotland can get the win this weekend.

“It would be so hard to be in that camp and not to be a little excited. They’ll be buzzing.”

Speaking to Rugby Union Weekly, Barclay added: “But, also, I think there’s enough guys who have been in that squad, like Hamish Watson, Finn, Sean Maitland, Hoggy, who have tasted bitter disappointment and disappointments so often in their careers.

“So, I think having that experience, those guys will be really important in keeping younger guys’ feet on the ground.”