Scotland’s Barclay insists Dark Blues ‘still have belief’
SCOTLAND skipper John Barclay admits his side have a point to prove against France — but only to themselves.
The Dark Blues suffered an opening-day disappointment against Wales as the wheels came off early in Cardiff.
That 34-7 defeat to Warren Gatland’s men has deflated some of the optimism surrounding the Scots ahead of the Six Nations after a hugely encouraging autumn series.
And it has also sparked some fierce criticism, with former England centre Jeremy Guscott branding their showing at the Principality Stadium “clueless”.
However, settling scores with their detractors is not his first priority ahead of Les Bleus’ visit to Murrayfield today
The captain said: “The criticism doesn’t anger me personally. We’re not going out to prove anyone wrong — definitely not.
‘I think we’re just disappointed with the performance and want to prove to ourselves.’
Scotland had been tipped as a dark horse for the title on the back of their November displays — they ran New Zealand close and ripped Australia apart by record margins.
But Barclay admits it was those clashes which made the manner of last week’s let down all the more painful.
‘We didn’t see it coming,’ admitted the Scarlets flanker.
‘We’ve got to learn, it’s a different competition. It’s a slightly different kind of rugby when you get into Six Nations. We’re just trying to get on with it.
‘We know we haven’t become a terrible team overnight, just as we hadn’t become the best team in the world off the back of the autumn. There is still a lot of belief in the team but we have to go out and put in a performance.’
The challenge now for Barclay and his teammates will not be any easier as they look to bounce back against the French.
Jacques Brunel saw his first championship clash in charge end in narrow defeat to Ireland last week and Barclay says his side must now stand up to the test against their musclebound opponents.
‘France will be very physical and their defence is very good,’ he said.
‘While they have some dangerous runners, they are under new guidance so you’re not too sure how much to take from the first game. They do though have some fantastic players and we know how hard a task it will be.”
ScoTlaNd - S Hogg; T Seymour, H Jones, P Horne, S Maitland; F Russell, G Laidlaw; G Reid, S McInally, S Berghan, G Gilchrist, J Gray, J Barclay, H Watson, R Wilson. Reps: S Lawson, J Bhatti, J Welsh, B Toolis, D Denton, A Price, Harris, B Kinghorn.
fRaNcE - G Palis; T Thomas, R Lamerat, G Doumayrou, V Vakatawa; L Beauxis, M Machenaud; J Poirot, G Guirado (c), R Slimani, A Iturria, S Vahaamahina, W Lauret, Y Camara, M Tauleigne. Reps: A Pelissie, E Ben Arous, C Gomes Sa, P Gabrillagues, L Pamoles, B Serin, A Belleau, B Fall.
Referee: J Lacey (Ireland) Tv: Live,TV3 from 2pm & BBC1, from 2.30pm (kick-off 3pm).