Fly-half Ruaridh Jackson believes a back to basics mentality has been the secret behind Scotland’s back-to-back RBS 6 Nations wins.
Having lost their opening Six Nations fixture away to England, Scotland bounced back in style to run in four tries in a 34-10 win over Italy at Murrayfield on February 9.
It was a different game on Sunday with Ireland dominating territory and possession only for Greig Laidlaw to steer Scotland to victory and maintain their unlikely quest to win a first-ever RBS 6 Nations crown and first title since they won the old Five Nations in 1999.
Next up for Scotland is another Murrayfield fixture with defending champions Wales the visitors, and while Jackson is expecting a different challenge to the one posed by Ireland, he insists the home side will stick to the principles which have brought success to date.
“It‘s hard to specify an exact thing that has changed,” said Jackson.
“It‘s quite crazy to think it has been that long since we won back-to-back games in the Six Nations.
“It shows how frustrating a time it probably has been for Scotland.
“We are doing a lot of repetitions of our basics – the rucking, the tackle area and all these things that are the backbone of a good solid team. Anything on top of that is a bonus, and that will come.
“Wales will come with a different style to Ireland and we will need to combat that with some good defence and a continuation of the things which are working.”
