Andy Robinson has thrown down the gauntlet to his Scotland team to win all four of their World Cup games in Pool B starting against Romania in Invercargill, New Zealand, tomorrow.
Scotland have never failed to reach the quarter-finals of a World Cup and though seeded third behind England and Argentina, have enjoyed recent success against their group rivals.
Robinson’s men secured their first series win over the Pumas in South America last year after clinching a draw against World Cup finalists England. Since then, Scotland have also claimed an historic first victory over South Africa and having arrived in New Zealand on the back of three successive wins, confidence is high they can secure their place in the last eight once again.
Photo: Reuters
“We want to get our campaign off to the best possible start. This competition is about winning and that is what we have to do,” Robinson said. “We have trained really well in the last three months and now it is all about going out and delivering when it matters.”
Scotland have won nine of their last 10 meetings against Romania who, in contrast, have never progressed past the pool stage of a World Cup.
With their best players scattered across Europe, the Oaks are likely to focus on taking on the Scots up front, particularly in the scrum under the guidance of assistant coach Steve McDowell, a World Cup winner with New Zealand in 1987.
Scotland’s record cap-holder and top points-scorer Chris Paterson will become his country’s first player to appear at a fourth World Cup when he starts in Invercargill.
Prop Ross Ford wins his 50th cap in a strong selection that includes British Lions scrum-half Mike Blair and rising star, 22-year-old lock Richie Gray.
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