Watson – no complacency after ‘statement win’

11 Mar 2020

Back-row Hamish Watson insists Scotland’s two-match momentum isn’t blinding the team to the threat posed by last year’s winners, Wales, at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff this Saturday.

Back-to-back wins over Italy and France puts Scotland three points and two championship places above their hosts, who have one Test win to their name this campaign – their opening round demolition of Italy at the same venue (42-0).

The upshot is the victor on Saturday afternoon will likely secure a higher-place finish than their opponent, with second-row Grant Gilchrist already likening the encounter to a cup final for the two teams.

“It was good to get back to BT Murrayfield and get a win against the team who were chasing the Grand Slam,” said Watson.

“We know how good France have been in the tournament and they were favourites going into that game, but we also believed that we could win.

“We know what this squad’s capable of and I think you’re starting to see that now. It says a lot about how the team’s coming on, in our defence especially.”
Scotland back-row Hamish Watson

“It was a big statement win and we showed that we could beat top teams but Wales away from home is another really hard Test.

“I don’t think we can underestimate Wales. Although they’ve only won one game, they’ve been in all of those games and have been in the fight until the very end.

“We know how good they are at home so we’re going to have to be at our best to win.”

Watson and the side remain focused on the fixture despite being the only show in town, with France v Ireland and Italy v England postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

“We’ve just got to concentrate on the game,” added Watson.

“We have a task at hand and we’ve got to make sure we perform to the best of our ability and win the game.

“I think we’re just pretty relieved that our game’s still on and we can concentrate on that.

“Just, to the fans, make sure you’re washing your hands.”