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Scotland coach Scott Johnson calls for his side to 'make history'

By Phil GoodladBBC Scotland

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Unioncomments85

Scotland interim coach Scott Johnson

Scotland interim head coach Scott Johnson has laughed off his side's poor record away to England and has challenged his players to make history.

The Scots have not won at Twickenham for 30 years and have managed only four victories there in 100 years.

But Australian Johnson is not concerned ahead of Saturday's Six Nations opener against Stuart Lancaster's England.

"Statistics are a bit like bikinis - it shows a lot but not the whole thing," he said.

"The reality is you can take what you want from statistics.

"We're here to make our own future and create our own history."

Johnson was speaking as his side trained indoors after torrential rain washed out Scotland's planned session.

The former Wales coach believes his players are excited about the task facing them in the Calcutta Cup.

"The day I lose excitement in my job is the day I go back home," he said.

Sean Maitland will make his Scotland debut at Twickenham, with Johnnie Beattie returning to the line-up for the first time since 2011.

Scotland back Sean Maitland
Maitland will debut for Scotland on the right wing

"We have a spine of quality athletes who can get up field," said Johnson.

"You get seven chances to score during a game and we have to make sure we make and take them."

Parallels have been drawn between Johnson and Lancaster as, a year ago, the latter was coaching England on an interim basis before that position became permanent.

But Johnson feels there are no real comparisons and would not be drawn on whether he wants the Scotland role full-time.

"It's a great honour, I can't deny that, but it's not about me, it's about a country I represent," he added.

"In 20 years I can say what a wonderful time it was but I will review this situation later. This is the right thing for the right time.

"What's best for Scotland could be with me, it could not be."

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85 comments

  • Comment posted by User0971743970, at 22:40 1 Feb 2013

    @17 The weather was the same for us as it was for them . If we could not change our game to suit the conditions then thats our problem not theirs.
    They were a better side they were far more committed and maybe the wet weather stopped them putting more points past us,

  • Comment posted by User0137128389, at 22:45 1 Feb 2013

    English chap....honesty from an englishman, so refreshing

  • Comment posted by Gyro-11, at 21:51 1 Feb 2013

    Well, the good news is in on Scotland A. They beat the Saxons 13-9 despite two yellow cards (75 and 77 mins, which is pretty careless). The lads can't afford yellow cards tomorrow at Twickenham. I can't wait for tomorrow!! Best of luck, guys, and keep and use the heid!

  • Comment posted by fruit man, at 22:49 1 Feb 2013

    Well said Englishchap. Much respect.

  • Comment posted by User0137128389, at 22:15 1 Feb 2013

    Come on the Scots...A team result fantastic...Tonks, lawrie and Wilson exceptional..over vaunted, over rated English, lets do it again tomorrow, Scot;and by 10 (unless Roland intervenes)

  • Comment posted by Scampton, at 01:55 2 Feb 2013

    Scotland broke the rules and were sin-binned so what is your gripe over that ? the officials gave us the advantage by putting them in the bin for 10 min.
    We failed to capitalise when they were down to 14 then 13 men. If you think it's bad play to stop another team from scoring then I'm afraid you are living in cloud cuckoo land we would have done exactly the same in their position.

  • Comment posted by geronimo, at 21:58 1 Feb 2013

    no strength in depth? Scotland A again!! actually quite an incredible result when you think where the players play in the two squads - the first teams are actually much closer in terms of experience/class etc - Hogg, Maitland , Visser, just get it to them!!!

  • Comment posted by User0971743970, at 22:09 1 Feb 2013

    I find it quite worrying that we just had a rugby lesson from a country that only has two professional sides.
    Where is our strength in depth ?

  • Comment posted by fruit man, at 22:14 1 Feb 2013

    Keep telling yourself that Twiggy you ain't convincing anyone else. And you never know, you might even settle your nerves enough to get a bit of sleep tonight.

  • Comment posted by User0572905861, at 11:59 2 Feb 2013

    Remember the Alamo!
    And did you see Kenya beat NZ last night in the 7's.
    Dont believe the hype, it will be a tough game for both teams and at the odds on offer I would back Scotland!

  • Comment posted by Dorfl46, at 23:16 1 Feb 2013

    28. Enjoy...Twickenham is a bit mixed. The real English rugby fans are brilliant and up for a bit of a laugh and banter...unfortunately (and just like Murrayfield) you get patchs of pr*cks who would be better off at a football match. Regardless of winner I hope you get an exciting game to watch.

  • Comment posted by User0760049278, at 11:20 2 Feb 2013

    I love this guy. He's got an honest face. He always looks happy being paid ridiculous sums of money for nothing - no matter what country he's coaching.

    He'll be the only "Scott" smiling after the match too!
    Good luck to yer mate. Yeah

  • Comment posted by D1679197920083, at 21:54 1 Feb 2013

    All the talk from all the coaches, past and present is just so much smoke and mirrors. All that matters is what happens when the whistle and the game is played.

  • Comment posted by ragerancher, at 18:03 2 Feb 2013

    The Scots have claimed they are going to make history for the last decade. I doubt this 6 nations will be any different to all their previous ones, especially after the game today.

  • Comment posted by wrw1066, at 18:43 2 Feb 2013

    Good game. England in control and Scotland good in parts. The only person not come out well this weekend is Jim Telfer. Jog on Jim...jog on, you're not welcome any more

  • Comment posted by Eadric the Wild, at 11:58 2 Feb 2013

    @63 - the flowing locks of the mullet say it all - media gabber and job blagger - not innocent when Ruddock left Wales, got his job, bungled it, upset the Aussie team in 2007 WC by all accounts (fine by me but not good for his own national team), ponced off the US Eagles for a while until Ospreys job came up then the cuckoo in the Scotland nest until Robbo went.

  • Comment posted by Bill Walker, at 11:40 2 Feb 2013

    I'm just glad that after this game, whatever the result, the Scots and English fans will head off down to the same pubs and sink a few pints together, which would never happen after the equivalent football match.

  • Comment posted by User0099773763, at 11:01 2 Feb 2013

    Just had a look on Ladbrokes and got 7-1 on Scotland, wasn't expecting odds that good, bearing in mind how tight the games have been between them in recent years and England do have the occasional shocker. Guess the change in the weather forecast may have changed things. With those odds had to have a swift tenner on our blue shirted brethren. I never let patriotism stand in the way of good odds!

  • Comment posted by D1679656821136, at 09:51 2 Feb 2013

    Looking at coach Johnson's record it does not bode well for Scotland. Which team has he coached to become outstanding or great?
    After saying that, he may well be right and the Scots may have it in them to win - lets hope it is a great game and won by the team playing the better rugby.

  • Comment posted by balancedviews, at 23:32 1 Feb 2013

    Here's to a good game, and respect for the winning side without any complaining about the weather or the ref. Thats the spirit of rugby and let's not forget it, lest we end up in the venomous exchanges we see in other mainstream sports.

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