Chris Paterson: It was vital Scotland ended losing run before World Cup

Chris Paterson, Scotland’s record cap holder and points scorer, says it was important to consign the losing run to history as they attempt to rebuild confidence ahead of next month’s showpiece, which Scotland kick off against Japan in Gloucester on September 23.

“It’s the kind of thing from outside the camp that would always be thrown at them (losing six in a row),” said Paterson, who appeared at four World Cups from 1999 through to 2007. “It’s important to get a winning habit, it’s important for everyone’s confidence and mentality. I think the performance is what’s key. The victory was good, that was important. After a good performance but a poor result in Ireland the week before, we got an okay performance but a better result.”

Until Henry Pyrgos’s well-worked try in the closing stages, the two teams had seemed happy to trade penalty goals, attacking ambition seemingly stored away for matches of greater importance. Paterson, of course, has been there as the man entrusted with turning pressure into points in stodgy encounters. But he feels there were some positives to be taken for Cotter.

“I thought Scotland defended really well. To not concede against an Italy side who had most of the possession, I thought it was a step up from the week before so that was important. We didn’t see a huge amount in attack. Whether that was tactical or reacting to the game and not having a lot of possession I’m not sure. I’m sure the coaches will be happy with what they’re seeing because it’ll be answering questions they have ahead of the World Cup.”

The day of reckoning for tournament selection is fast approaching for the Scotland squad, and Paterson says the impact made by the substitutes in the Stadio Olimpico will have done their cause no harm at all.

“I thought the bench made a difference coming on. Peter Horne did really quite well. Hamish Watson added a fair amount of pace. Henry Pyrgos came on, scored a try and looked creative. Some of the guys that started the game should be proud of their defence because they absorbed a hell of a lot of pressure in the first half and didn’t crack.”

Perhaps the most pleasing aspect of the weekend’s win – aside from halting that run of defeats – was seeing the fringe players step in and get the job done to register a much-needed win. Scotland fans will yearn, however, to see some established names back in the side for the return fixture against Italy at BT Murrayfield on Saturday, and hope for a display to give them hope of making it through a World Cup group that alongside Japan features the USA, Samoa and South Africa.

“I think we’ll see the players who played in the Six Nations more because there are only two games left and these guys will need game time as well. We’ve not seen the likes of Stuart Hogg or Tommy Seymour, Greig Laidlaw, Jonny Gray, these guys who were first choice in the Six Nations. So it will be an opportunity for these players to come in and they’ll be desperate to go. All that training throughout the summer and then having to watch the first two games, which isn’t always easy, so they’ll be desperate to put their marker down. I think we’ll see a strong team and a strong performance at BT Murrayfield on Saturday.”

The final squad Cotter names on September 1 ahead of the final warm-up match against France will be the first Scotland World Cup squad not to feature Paterson since 1995.

“I’m really excited just to watch, to be honest. I think because it’s on our doorstep it’s a great opportunity for rugby to grow in our country. I know it will be really well hosted. It will be really well attended. There will be a real buzz about it, so I’m excited more than anything else.”