Scotland still to hit a peak, insists O’Halloran

Claims the current Scotland team is the best this century have been dismissed as flattering but irrelevant by assistant coach Jason O’Halloran,

Both Jim Telfer and Alan Tait, the head coach and a player respectively when Scotland last won the championship in 1999, have said the current national side is the best since then. But, as he prepares for Saturday’s first match of this year’s Six Nations Championship, O’Halloran insisted that, no matter how good the team is at present, it is still short of its peak.

“Ultimately, this team will be at its best in a couple of years’ time when you get more guys around that 50-cap mark and we continue to grow our leadership,” he said. “It’s a flattering comment, but it doesn’t give us any points when we start against Ireland. What it does give us is combinations and a bit more confidence, which you need in big games.”

O’Halloran also revealed a decision had yet to be taken on Duncan Taylor’s match fitness, making it more likely that Huw Jones will partner Alex Dunbar at centre.

“I think we’ve still to decide on Duncan’s availability, but Huw is ready to play,” the coach added.

“Huw has brought us pace, great footwork, and he can distribute either way, which is uncommon for a guy who has played in the midfield in South Africa. Normally they are straight up and down sort of guys.

“But he can do all that, he can grubber kick – he’s got one of the most rounded skill sets I’ve seen. Obviously what we’ve seen so far is the feet and the speed, but he can distribute the ball really well.”