Tommy Seymour’s played in two successive wins against Italy, but the circumstances of both makes him certain it’s going to be a tough on in the RBS 6 Nations this afternoon.
The Glasgow Warriors wing returns to the side at BT Murrayfield today after missing the Wales match with a hip injury, recalling just how close recent games with Italy have been.
“I played them on my first tour in Pretoria in 2013, it was just my second cap and Al Strokosch got that try in the last minute, so that was a very enjoyable result,” he said.
“Then there was last year when Duncy Weir kicked that drop goal in the last minute and Alex Dunbar got two tries.
“It’s been nail-biting on both occasions. The fact that these games have been so close is an example of how tough they are, an incredibly tough team to break down. You have to work really hard to get a result over them.
“They lost at Twickenham but scored three tries and the score was still close after 65 minutes. They’ll bring great physicality at the breakdown and passion, and you have to match that and aim to do even better.”
After three tries in the three autumn tests, two from trademark interceptions, Seymour was straining at the leash for the 6 Nations but suffered his injury inside the first 15 minutes in Paris.
“I knew it was not right, and if you are not able to be where you should be you’re jeopardising the team, so you can’t be selfish,” he pointed out.
“The recovery was quite quick but it became apparent the week after I wouldn’t be considered for Wales and that was tough, but once I’d got my head around that it was just a case of supporting the guys.”
Scotland could well done with Seymour’s opportunism and his great skills under the high ball against the Welsh, but he doesn’t want to get typecast.
“I don’t want to case myself as the guy who wants to go and try for interceptions all the time because that comes with as many risks as benefits,” he said. “You get painted with that brush and defences start to exploit it. I don’t want to put us into jeopardy by trying a risky manoeuvre.
“I’m not going to try it in every game, it was just individual circumstances in the autumn.
“As for the high ball, I think it was simple, Wales did very well in the air. They put the balls up there and did very well to get them back, there’s no long technical explanation about it.
“We have to be better than that and we know it. It’s something other teams will look at now but I’m confident in the way we go about things and it’s not something we will be repeating.”
He’s one of the best in the squad going forward under the high ball, but in those scenarios his mind’s on one thing, bearing in mind what happened to team-mate Finn Russell.
“If you mean can you get up higher than your opponent to catch the ball then, yes, you’ve got an advantage and it’s easier to have a running start to get more air time and hang time compared to someone who’s jumping from a flat base,” he explained.
“But if you mean advantage in terms of trying to exploit the opposition in terms of a decision then, no. Yoy got up with your eyes on the ball to catch it, disrupt it or knock it back to a team mate. Whatever happens then, it’s up to other people to interpret.”
Scotland feel that their style or rugby and the ambition of the team is getting the backing of the public, but are aware that wins have to start coming now.
“We’ve played very well in terms of our attacking rugby, we have shown flair and style,” he said. “We are playing a brand of rugby which everyone is enjoying and that’s showing with the attendance, this week is set to be a record.
“The supporters are getting on board with which is great. Now we need to be clinical with the opportunities we get as nine tenths of the job isn’t enough – we need to get over the line.
“The main thing is that we are creating those chances but we need to be patient and heads up about getting those opportunities and make sure we come away with the points.
“It’s international rugby so it’s small margins, but fingers crossed the effort we have put in during training will push those fine margins on our favour.”