Cotter targets Six Nations as Tonga are swept aside

SCOTLAND head coach Vern Cotter will give his players homework to make sure they are geared up for the huge year that lies ahead.

The Dark Blues rounded off 2014 with another encouraging display as they swept five tries past Tonga in a 37-12 win at Kilmarnock’s Rugby Park.

It followed the impressive five-try win over Argentina and proud display in the eight-point loss to New Zealand and sets the side up for the next 12 months, which starts with the Six Nations and ends with the World Cup in England.

Cotter will not see his men again until late January ahead of their Six Nations opener in France on February 7.

‘This leaves us in a position to take the things we did well and improve them,’ said Cotter.

‘It gives us an opportunity to spend some time developing some individual skill sets, which we will be asking players to do. That will give the team more possibilities to vary our play.

‘This key thing is that this is great, but where do we move to next? If we come back thinking we will reproduce the same stuff, then that is a track that is dangerous.

‘We want to move everybody forward as individuals to improve our team game.’

Meanwhile, South Africa followed up last week’s win over England with a hardfought 22-6 win over Italy in Padova.

Tries from Coenie Oosthuizen in the first half and Cobus Reinach in the second took the Springboks out of reach of an Italy side who competed well in the scrum and battled until the end but could not break down the visiting defence.

Bryan Habana added a third in the last minute, his 57th in 105 Tests, to ease any nerves and ensure his side head to Wales in winning form.

The Italians could only muster two penalties from their adopted Kiwi outhalf Kelly Haimona but will be encouraged by their combative display, particuarly up front against the giant Springbok forwards.