Redpath still rues errors
March 10, 2003

Scotland captain Bryan Redpath has warned his team they must hold their concentration throughout 80 minutes in their next RBS 6 Nations game at Twickenham.

The Scots secured their first win - and tries - of the competition in Saturday's 30-22 win over Wales, with the aid of 20 points from Chris Paterson.

But Sale Sharks scrum-half Redpath was concerned at the number of minor errors which allowed the Welsh to almost sneak back into the game.

Mark Taylor and Rhys Williams were both able to breach the Scotland defence in the dying moments of the game.

Redpath said: "We gave away little niggly penalties and offsides that we hadn't done in the first half.

"We didn't control because we were giving the ball away, and they got on the front foot.

"At some stage, that was going to happen. When Wales do get on top they can keep the ball and spray it quite wide.

"We gave silly little penalties away and at the end we let in two tries.

"That is the disappointing side of it. But I'm delighted with the win, and that's all I'm interested in.

"The last five minutes weren't good. But we have to take positives from the game, and it was a win."

But Redpath admits his side have learned from the defeats by Ireland and France in the opening two games of the series to set up the win over Wales.

He said: "We played quite directly, and that's what we will have to do.

"Maybe we haven't got the world-beaters other countries have, like Brian O'Driscoll and some of the French and English players, so we have to work to our strengths.

"Some of these players are back-row or middle-five forwards who can take it up and hit the gain line, and that is what we did quite successfully.

"It worked for Bruce Douglas' try and almost for one by Gregor Townsend - so, on the whole, I'm happy."

Scotland coach Ian McGeechan may not admit it, but Gregor Townsend looks set to continue at stand-off against England after an excellent game against the Welsh as he stood in for injured Brendan Laney.

McGeechan said: "We have been working with Gregor, Gordon Ross and, latterly, Brendan Laney - and we had a definite shape of a game we wanted to play against Wales.

"It was very important, with Gregor's experience, he helped to manufacture that - and he did. He played players into the game.

"I have to be pleased with the way we defended when we were down to 14 men because they are a very good back line.

"To do that and then come away and score showed a lot of character in the team."

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