Price the man to set the pace as Scots push for second win
SCOTLAND’S hopes of a top-two finish in the Six Nations were dealt a significant blow in the aftermath of a bruising, physical encounter in Paris when Greig Laidlaw and Josh Strauss were ruled out of the remaining games because of injuries. Both have been enormously influential. Scotland will miss Laidlaw’s leadership and game management. His decision-making in the closing stages of the match against Ireland was spot on – no signs of panic, just cool and composed, knowing exactly how to close out the game and break Irish hearts.
Similarly, Josh Strauss has been the most impressive ball carrier for Vern Cotter’s men – his body position and leg drive is second to none and he always seems to get over the gainline.
Ironically, however, Ali Price will bring a different dimension to the side – if he is the choice to replace Laidlaw.
Price has a better, faster service from the base of the breakdown and is far more threatening around the fringes of ruck and maul.
He raised the pace of the game dramatically in Paris when the captain left the field and this dimension could be critical against Wales on Saturday and England next month.
The introduction of Price will place even more onus on his club partner, Finn Russell, as the responsibility for decision-making will pass to him.
Russell’s tournament has been a little up and down so far. Like his club coach and mentor, Gregor Townsend, he is inclined to try things in very marginal situations – seeing opportunities that other players don’t, sometimes because they aren’t there.
The head-to-head between Russell and Dan Biggar will be intriguing and whoever has the better game is likely to end up on the winning side.
The back row is more of a problem for Cotter. With Strauss out, he really doesn’t have many ball-carrying options available to him and even those on the fringes such as Cornell du Preez aren’t in great form – Edinburgh having been humbled by Leinster on Friday night.
He may be well served to go for a mobile, ball-handling back row and try to play further out than he did against France.
The set-piece is also a headache for the Scots. The scrum is vulnerable and most teams will look to attack a front row that is developing a track record of conceding relatively easy penalties.
There aren’t many scrums in the modern game, which will suit Scotland, but the fewer the better.
The key will be whether Wales can get as fired up at Murrayfield as they were last weekend.
If Scotland show their fans that their form against Ireland at home wasn’t a one-off, a second victory is in the offing.