Wilson eager to get back to winning ways

Back-row Ryan Wilson today expressed his desire to get Scotland back on the winning track against Fiji in front of a capacity crowd this Saturday at BT Murrayfield (kick-off 2.30pm) – live on BT Sport and BBC.

Wilson was among the starting loose forwards in last weekend’s loss to Wales in Cardiff and, despite emerging from the match with some personal credit from his performance, remains irked by the autumn’s current played one, lost one record.

“We go out to win every game in a Scotland jersey and we didn’t do that [against Wales] so yeah we were frustrated and want to make sure we go out and do a better job this week,” said Wilson.

“Fiji are a dangerous side. We lost to them last time we played them and, in the last five games they’ve won three or four from the five, so we all know how dangerous they are – they’re a good team.

“I wouldn’t talk for the [Scotland] team too much from a mentality perspective but, for me, you go into every game knowing that you give it your best and, if everyone around you does the same, you’ll come out with a win.

“We’re at home, we’re confident at home, and you’ve seen how we can perform at home, which should give us a big enough boost.”

This week Head Coach Gregor Townsend added six players to the squad, with seven dropping out of contention – four through injury and three released to their clubs.

Among them in the back-row department were Wilson’s Glasgow Warriors teammate Adam Ashe and former Warriors teammate Josh Strauss (now at Sale Sharks), all brought in following injuries sustained to Magnus Bradbury, David Denton and Blade Thomson, while a number of exile players also come into contention for the Fiji Test, with the opening of the World Rugby international window.

However, despite being seemingly boosted by players of the calibre of the France-based Greig Laidlaws, Finn Russells of this world, Wilson instead paid tribute to the home-based brood.

“Whatever nines, tens, 15s we put in we’ve got the quality there.

“Blair Kinghorn is a dangerous player, just as dangerous as Hoggy, and again, Pricey [Ali Price] and George Horne, these guys have been doing well, so we’ve got strength in depth and any of those players pulling on their nation’s jersey are going to do well.”