Hooker Lawson helps Scots As to cup glory

Jun 25 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

SCOTT Lawson this week spoke of his delight after Scotland A landed the IRB Nations Cup in Romania, despite a strong comeback from France.

Gloucester hooker Lawson (27), who started his rugby career at Biggar and has since played for Glasgow Warriors and Sale Sharks, played a major role in the championship win by scoring two tries against Russia and one against Uruguay as the Scots romped to 49-7 and 27-3 victories, respectively.

That set up a crunch against France A on Sunday, with Scotland winning 22-12 at the Stadionul National Arcul de Triumf in Bucharest to secure the silverware.

A 17-point contribution from young Glasgow stand-off Ruaridh Jackson was topped when his Warriors team-mate Richie Vernon scored Scotland’s only try, much to coach Andy Robinson’s delight.

Scotland conceded just one try during the tournament.

Lawson reckons that proves Scotland are capable of holding on for a win, and hopes it shows a revival in the nation’s fortunes.

Lanark-born Lawson said: “We beat Russia and Uruguay and no disrespect to them but France was always going to be the deciding game, so we were geared up for that and to get the win was just incredible.

“Scotland are notorious for playing well but not getting the victory, and can snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in pretty much every sport, so it was important that we won.

“We dominated the first half and we knew that France would come back at us in the second half, but we were strong enough to hold them off. The attitude and commitment from all the boys to make sure we won it was brilliant.

“It wasn’t a top-tier competition but winning is always better than losing!”

Scott was pleased with his own contribution but is happy to overlook personal glory for the good of the team.

He said: “I got two tries in the first game, one in the second, and although I didn’t score in the third game against France, winning was the most important thing.

“We did that, so I was delighted.”

Plying his trade down south with first Sale Sharks and then Gloucester has been a gamble for Scott, but staying in Scotland’s plans shows that he is doing something right.

Guinness Premiership side Gloucester recently parted company with coach Dean Ryan, and with the arrival of Bryan Redpath as head coach and Carl Hogg as forwards coach – both former Scotland internationalists – things could be looking up for Lawson and fellow Scots Rory Lawson, Steve Brotherstone and Alasdair Dickinson.

Scott has high hopes for Gloucester next season and admits he’s relishing the prospect of locking horns with former club Glasgow Warriors.

He said: “I left Scotland a couple of years ago to come down south and I was out of the public eye, so to speak, but kept in there.

“I absolutely love my job and things are looking good at Gloucester.

“We’ve got two new coaches in Bryan Redpath and Carl Hogg, who are well-known to us, and it’s good for me to have two Scottish coaches.

“We’ve got three other Scottish internationals at Gloucester and we’ve also been drawn in a Heineken Cup group against Glasgow Warriors, so that will provide some extra added spice this season.

“And I hope we can get into the top four and get into the play-offs.”

Scotland A coach Andy Robinson was full of praise for his side as they lifted the IRB Nations Cup.

He said: “I was really pleased with the way the team performed.

“The players have worked hard over the past two weeks and have been rewarded with the results.

“The attitude shown by the players has put us in a position to win games and I look forward to seeing the same level of application moving forward.”

Hosts Romania and Italy A also took part in the six-team tournament.