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Scotland prop Nel aims to break new ground in 2017

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WP Nel believes Vern Cotter can lead Scotland to an autumn clean-sweep and a first-ever RBS 6 Nations title win.

WP Nel believes Vern Cotter can lead Scotland to an autumn clean-sweep and a first-ever RBS 6 Nations title win.

New Zealander Cotter guided Scotland to a first win over France since 2006 during the 2016 RBS 6 Nations and they completed a 2-0 Test series win over Japan in the summer.

Scotland face Australia, Argentina and Georgia over three weekends in November.

Although Gregor Townsend has been confirmed as Cotter’s successor at the helm of Scottish rugby, Nel is confident former Clermont Auvergne head coach Cotter can make a significant mark in his final year in charge.

South African born Nel has been at the forefront of a resurgent Scottish scrum since the 2015 World Cup, as well as racking up two tries in his 15 caps, and he believes an RBS 6 Nations win is not out of the question.

“Vern touched on it after the Japan tour, we definitely want to win all three tour games, and then we’ll take the Six Nations as it comes but I think it’s on the board to go out there and win the Six Nations,” the 30-year-old said.

“There’s a lot of technique in the scrum, but as a unit we worked really hard from before the World Cup, so as a pack we have built a reputation, but the next step is to keep that reputation.

“It’s nice to get the ball in hand. Rugby is evolving, I think the skills must be up there with the backs; you must play ball, you must do a lot of stuff that older props didn’t. So the skills must be good from props through to full-backs.” Nel’s ambitions are not just confined to the blue of Scotland, the powerful tighthead is keen for Edinburgh to build on last year’s promising  Guinness PRO12 campaign.

“We have big expectations this year. Our main goal is to go out there and win the league,” he said.

“That would seem a long shot, but then we only need look at what Connacht achieved last season.

“The Pro12 teams are so good at this moment, every team can be in front, so there’s not really any favourites. It’s going to be a tough one this year. It’s one of the most open leagues.”