McBryde wary of wounded Scotland

Robin McBryde

Published: 8:47am, 10th February 2012
Updated: 1:15pm, 10th February 2012

Robin McBryde believes Scotland will be encouraged by an impressive Millennium Stadium performance two years ago when they look to stop Wales in their tracks on Sunday.

Shane Williams' last-gasp try gave Wales a thrilling 31-24 victory on that occasion, but Scotland made the home side sweat throughout an enthralling encounter.

The Scots began their 2012 campaign last week in a loss to England which they had more than enough chances to win, and McBryde said: "They are a bit wounded, and they will be keen to come to Cardiff and put up a good show. We left it late against them two years ago, and they will take heart from that."

He added: "Scotland are very good at keeping hold of possession and they have some potent runners. They will look to get over the gain-line, hold on to the ball and put us under pressure.

"They like to play a quick tempo game, and they are dangerous with plenty of threats throughout the team, especially when the game breaks up and they get on the front foot.

"Scotland created far more opportunities than England did. They were strong at set-pieces, and with a bit more composure and better decision-making they would have been home and dry."

The Scots, though, will encounter a Wales side oozing confidence after their impressive 23-21 victory over Ireland last week.

They have four Six Nations games left, with three of them in Cardiff.

McBryde continued: "We will take heart from the Ireland game, when we showed a lot of character.

"It is not the Wales of old when people questioned us before a game whether we were tough enough to get a result in Ireland. The players have pulled together and know what they are about."