Brave words from lucky Scots

Scotland the brave: not quite, more like Scotland the extremely fortunate, if resilient. In the opening 20 minutes of the second half, the Scots would have empathised with the settlers in the pioneering era of the Wild West, wagons circled and set upon by marauding natives. The only problem for the natives was that they were guilty of hitting one another over the canvas tops.

The Scots realised their good fortune, but preferred to use the aftermath of the press conference to peer suspiciously for other foes, real or perceived. The recent resignation of former coach Richie Dixon and the coronation of Jim Telfer, coupled with defeats by Australia, South Africa and Italy, ensured that the Scottish management were not going to miss an opportunity to verbally lash recent detractors.

Telfer blasted: "This is a tremendous fillip for the players. They have taken a tremendous battering over the last few weeks, but they showed their mettle when Ireland looked as if they were going to win in the second half.

"Despite the victory, the usual suspects will probably criticise us back home, that's the nature of the beast nowadays. I think we showed a lot of guts in defence, much like the A team the previous night. I think we can build on that; we were a bit apprehensive in many things, but we will be better the next time. Whether we beat France is another thing, but we have something to build on."

Telfer's initial bullish stance, softened as he considered the opposition. "I'd like to say that Ireland seemed as if they could move the ball wide quickly and they probably could have troubled us a bit more . . . they deserve a lot of credit for their efforts.

"I must admit for 65 minutes I thought they (Ireland) were going to win." Those words ought to hurt the Irish players more than any others for they capture the essence of Saturday afternoon at Lansdowne Road: Ireland snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

The quality of the fare provided by both sides was an issue for one inquisitor. Telfer outlined his weariness regarding the question, which he has addressed on previous occasions. "Countries like Ireland and Scotland have few resources, but when you think that most of the players here today play in the English first division, it still shows that we can produce rugby players.

"They happen to go over to England because there is a lot of money there, Gary's (Armstrong) probably earning a lot of it. The two teams played attractive rugby, very hard, physical rugby and they shouldn't be written off, but that's the kind of yoke you live under all the time, because the predominance of reporters are from across the water.

"England have beaten Ireland and Scotland repeatedly, but we sometimes sneak in with a win, hopefully each country will do it this year." Having further strengthened the Celtic bond against the Sassanachs, Telfer turned his attention to the two substitutions that rectified an ailing Scottish scrum.

"We were always going to make substitutions. We had decided to change Grimes for Cronin before the match, but the other one, where Davy Hilton came on, was not thought of at that time. I thought George (Graham) stuck in very well against a very difficult scrummager. I know Paul Wallace quite well . . . he (Graham) had a hard time, but he stuck to his task quite well. However, Hilts gave us that impetus and so did Grimes."

Scottish captain and man of the match Gary Armstrong had no problem in isolating the pivotal moment in the international. "I knew that if we held out when Ireland pressed in the scrums - I don't know how long we were in there for, but it seemed a long time - if we got out of that without giving away any points, then we had a chance of winning the match."

Ireland's only try, a penalty try awarded by South African referee Andre Watson, did not meet with Armstrong's approval, hardly surprising given that he was the man penalised. His view was on the incident was somewhat different: "As far as I am concerned the number eight was trying to pick it up and I dived in: but it is up to the referee, his decision is final and he gave the penalty try."

Generosity in victory is not a costly emotion. The Scots have seen off the marauding natives and while they are many pitfalls left on their journey, they will be relieved that the first leg has been safely, if not auspiciously, accomplished.