Speaking about a player who was among three he announced back in October as having been pre-selected for the first autumn Test against Fiji, Andy Robinson, the head coach, used the words “another opportunity” but, for the time being at least, he might as well have said last chance.
That was certainly how Morrison seems to have interpreted it.
“He has let me know in a fairly straightforward way that he is giving me another shot and it’s about time I delivered. It’s said in a pretty direct way and I’ve taken it fully on board,” Morrison admitted. “Some aggressive words were spoken. There’s no hiding from the fact that I’ve got a lot more to give, but I’m very grateful that he’s put his faith in me for one more week and given me the chance.”
What is striking, though, is that there is no sense of Morrison in any way feeling hurt by his head coach having effectively criticised him in public.
“I know Andy wants the best for me and is desperate to get that out of me,” Morrison continued. “Every time I pull on the Scottish jersey and the Glasgow jersey I try to give of my best but I’ve perhaps gone away from playing to my strengths which got me here, namely running hard, getting good going forward and beating players.
“For whatever reason I’ve gone away from doing that in the past few weeks and I’ve had good chats with Andy about that and been told what he wants from me. I’m looking forward to giving it a real crack.”
In many ways his individual situation reflects that of an entire side that has shown its capabilities in various ways intermittently this year, but has managed just a paltry four tries in six matches, and lost the last four.
“There are just a few things we need to improve and when we do that there will be a memorable performance to come out of it. It’s only a matter of time and there’s no better time than on Saturday,” Morrison reckoned.
The impression is that Robinson thinks so too, but he knows that while the players are now up to the task technically, they cannot let their concentration or resolve slip for a moment if they are to achieve a third successive Murrayfield win over the team he was coaching when the first of those victories was achieved in 2006.
The emphasis the coach has repeatedly placed on the need for the referee to ensure that teams are allowed to win quick possession at the breakdown, reflects Robinson’s belief that his pacier, but rather less streetwise, back-row can be a huge factor in this match if the game is played at pace.
He also knows that if they are on top in that area that Dan Parks will be allowed to inch forward as Jonny Wilkinson drifts deeper, which would let Scotland’s play-maker dictate the game as he did for long periods against Wales and Italy.
Against England, though, it will always be a physical battle, which is why he has sought to up the intensity of his 6’3”, 16 and a half stone centre ahead of what could be a crucial midfield battle.
Morrison also leads the defensive line and Robinson has pointed to the fact that Scotland’s try-less wins in 2006 and 2008 have been achieved not by scoring many points, but by preventing their opponents from scoring tries. If Morrison plays as he can and as he expects to this evening Scotland will win.
