HAMISH IS SCOTS’ MAGNIFICENT 7
Unsung hero Watson may hold the key to breaking down Irish
HIS contribution in this Six Nations has so far been overshadowed by the likes of Finn Russell, Greig Laidlaw and John Barclay. But there’s still no getting away from the importance of back-row forward Hamish Watson to the Scotland cause.
One of the team’s true unsung heroes, Watson has been superb at the breakdown, mobile around the pitch and strong in the tackle. Against Ireland this Saturday, he will be one of Gregor Townsend’s most trusted lieutenants.
Fourteen years ago in Dublin, it was Ally Hogg who was wearing the No 7 jersey that Watson will proudly don this weekend.
Hogg, part of a Scotland team who lost 37-16 to the Irish in 2004, has seen enough of the 26-year-old’s ball-winning prowess in the last few weeks to believe he can give Townsend’s side the platform for what would be a seismic victory at the Aviva Stadium.
‘It wasn’t our best day as a team in 2004 but I got my first international try which means I will always remember that match,’ said Hogg, now 35, who is enjoying an Indian summer with Newcastle Falcons in the English Premiership.
‘Scotland haven’t won in Dublin since 2010 which shows how hard it is to win across there. They have a great chance this time round, though, with guys like Watson in the team.’
Hogg believes the battle of the breakdown will be vital, even though Ireland will have picked up a few useful pointers from the Scots’ pulsating victory over England at Murrayfield.
‘England were a little bit arrogant in that they thought they could only put in one at the breakdown, win it, and get quick ball against Scotland,’ he said.
‘Scotland were chucking two, three or four in. John Barclay and Hamish Watson were winning good ball and England didn’t have enough men in there competing for it.
‘Ireland would have picked up on that and will put a few more numbers in there. They won’t make the same mistake England did.
‘They will try to secure the ball and look after it, try to give Scotland a hard time at the breakdown. But they will struggle to do that because of the way Hamish and John played against England.’
For Hogg, Watson has been the most consistent player for Scotland in any position in their first three Six Nations matches and has yet to receive all the credit he deserves.
‘Greig Laidlaw was superb against France, Finn Russell and John Barclay were on the top of their game against England, while Stuart Hogg and Barclay have been causing problems for the opposition,’ noted Hogg.
‘But the most consistent by a mile has to be Watson.
‘He did well against Wales, even in defeat. He was superb against France and against England he was off the scale along with John and Finn.
‘He keeps getting better and better with every Six Nations game. He has the potential to be a world-class openside and can take another step towards reaching that level against Ireland.
‘I have played with and against a lot of good back-row players during my time with Scotland and Newcastle and he’s up there among the best.
‘I played against him a couple of times in pre-season friendlies between Newcastle and Edinburgh and knew then he was a class act. He is such a good ball carrier and is strong over the ball. His work rate is incredible and he is always there or thereabouts running good lines.
‘He is the constant thorn in the side of the opposition, one of those people you don’t want to play against. You’d always want him in your team.
‘In this Six Nations, he’s been off the scale at times and will have a vital role to play in Dublin where he can make people properly sit up and take notice.’
Although Hogg’s heart says Scotland will win in Dublin, his head tells him it will be tough. Just being in with a chance of challenging for the Six Nations title shows how far the team has come under Townsend, however.
‘This game will make or break Scotland’s chances of winning the Six Nations title,’ added Hogg. ‘To be fair, to even be in the position of challenging for the title after three games is a great place to be, and one we haven’t been in very often, if at all, in the Six Nations. ‘It shows the quality in the squad but winning away has never been easy for any Scotland team. ‘When I scored in Dublin, I think it was from all of a yard. We lost away to Wales and Italy as well. ‘Things haven’t got better away from home since then but this team has shown they are good enough to compete with the best. They have to back up their home wins over France and England against Ireland, which will not be easy. ‘They will go there with lots of confidence and, hopefully, Saturday is Scotland’s day.’ Newcastle have two players — Scott Lawson and Chris Harris — in Townsend’s squad for the Ireland game and they have kept Hogg well versed on the build-up. ‘Having the guys in the Scotland squad is good recognition for the way the club has been playing this season,’ said Hogg. ‘We are up to third in the Premiership, which is the highest Newcastle have been in the league since they won it in 1995. Having Chris, Scott and Jon Welsh away with Scotland is reward for all their hard work. ‘We’ve also got Gary Graham at Newcastle who was born in Stirling but accepted the call-up to England instead. The Scots wind him up about that but, really, he got the call from them first and who can blame him for choosing them?’