MX23RW : Friday, March 15 09:05:55
Mar 16, 2019 at 5pm UK
England
vs.
Scotland

Mike Blair hopes Scotland can finally click in all departments against England

Mike Blair hopes Scotland can finally click in all departments against England
© Reuters
Scotland face championship-chasing England on the back of a solitary home win over Italy and three consecutive defeats.

Scotland assistant coach Mike Blair insists some positive features of their play can finally click together in their closing game of the Guinness Six Nations at Twickenham.

Scotland face championship-chasing England on the back of a solitary home win over Italy and three consecutive defeats.

Optimism is in short supply among supporters as Scotland chase a first Twickenham triumph in 36 years but the team are taking some positives from Saturday's 18-11 defeat by leaders Wales.

Darcy Graham's try was the highlight against Wales
Darcy Graham's try was the highlight against Wales (Jane Barlow/PA)

"We've been able to put good parts of our game together at different times," Blair said.

"I think spectators are aware that when our game clicks we can put any team under pressure. So we'll be working very hard to put these on to the pitch and put this England team under pressure.

"There have been good bits in different parts of the game. The massive thing is putting it all together. Not only in terms of minutes but in terms of the attack and the defence.

"We've had times when we've defended really well but not had that instinct to finish off in attack and likewise when our attack has gone a little bit better we've dropped off in defence. So trying to find that game that will put all the different bits together is absolutely key.

"Players having confidence in what we do in attack, and we believe we've got that. And in defence just not switching off, keep going after their attack, which we've definitely shown at times against Wales. If we get off the line and put teams under pressure they'll make mistakes.

"We've done some good stuff. We just need to keep dynamic, keep the ball moving and not let defences get on top of us and slow our ball down."

Scotland's campaign has been undermined by injuries and they have lost Tommy Seymour (rib) and Blair Kinghorn (ankle) from their back three while Stuart Hogg has not recovered from the shoulder problem that forced him off early in the tournament. Adam Ashe, Tim Swinson, James Johnstone and Luke Crosbie have also dropped out.

Glasgow pair Ruaridh Jackson and Kyle Steyn have been added to the squad while Sean Maitland is back fit after a heel injury and could feature at full-back.

Sean Maitland could return
Sean Maitland could return (Ian Rutherford/PA)

Blair said: "The injuries in the back three have been disappointing but at the same time it's given someone like Darcy (Graham) the chance to show what he can do and I thought he was magnificent on Saturday in all aspects of his game, really dangerous on the ball and defended really well as well.

"Byron (McGuigan) came on after not being involved with us for a wee while with his injuries and what have you and again shown a lot of energy. He was part of the try we did score.

"So disappointed with injuries but the guys who are getting opportunities as a result are certainly putting their hands up and putting pressure on these guys you'd usually say would be first choice."


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Scotland's Tommy Seymour pictured in February 2019
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Scotland without Seymour, Kinghorn and Hogg for England clash
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