There was no disguising the sense of deflation among three of Scotland's proudest rugby warriors yesterday, as they gazed back at the Six Nations defeat to England and looked forward to this weekend's clash with the Welsh at the Millennium Stadium.

Yet the message from John Rutherford, Jim Renwick and Doddie Weir, a triumvirate with a tally of more than 150 Test caps, to the national coach, Andy Robinson, was unequivocal. Namely, that it's time to show faith in the new generation of Scots and display the same killer instinct and streetwise qualities which stamp out thoroughbreds from honest artisans.

That ambition might be easier said than done, but Rutherford and Renwick were both involved in the famous victory at the old Arms Park in 1982, when the visitors survived an early onslaught from their opponents, prior to seizing the initiative and ultimately scoring five tries in a comprehensive 34-18 win. And, according to Rutherford, his compatriots will have to cut out the basic errors and eschew caution when they attempt to achieve a similar outcome 30 years later.

"Everybody was gutted with the England result, because we are getting a lot right, but we're just not clinical enough, and you can't blame coaches when players don't make passes at the right time," said Rutherford, with reference to Ross Rennie's barnstorming incision, which ultimately fizzled out. "If he had got the ball to Mike Blair, that would have been game over, because the momentum would definitely have been with the Scots, but we're not quite precise enough, and even the luck has deserted us, such as when Greig Laidlaw almost scored a try, but couldn't quite get downward pressure on the ball. Basically, I don't think we are far away from being a decent side . . . but perhaps we have to go with youth, as the Welsh have done.

"I am absolutely sure that [Glasgow's] Duncan Weir will be considered for the 22, and he was the man of the match in Scotland A's [35-0] trouncing of the England Saxons at Netherdale, while the management might call up Stuart Hogg as well, because he has real gas, and Laidlaw has been impressive at the highest level.

"I wouldn't advocate mass changes before we go to Cardiff – some of the criticism of Dan Parks has been vicious – and I am confident our pack will be at least the equal of the Welsh. It's in the backs that we have to find ways of causing them problems."

That perspective was echoed by Renwick, the 52-times-capped centre of excellence, who lavished praise on the likes of David Denton, Rennie and Richie Gray, but seemed underwhelmed by the contribution of the Scotland threequarters, whose cause, to be fair, had hardly been assisted by the Steven Shingler eligibility row and injury to Joe Ansbro.

"Our ball-carrying could be better, and, sometimes, we don't seem to have much conviction when we attack, whereas the Irish and Welsh looked faster, sharper, and prepared to think on their feet, and we maybe need to trust our instincts a bit more," said Renwick. "It is all about having the skill and belief in your own abilities, and finishing off chances when you create them, and I just don't think that we've got the right formula at the moment, so we have to look at youngsters such as Hogg, Weir and Laidlaw.

"But it's a difficult situation for Andy Robinson, in terms of looking at new blood. Before the World Cup, we beat Ireland, then made wholesale changes and defeated Italy and that proved that we have some strength in depth. But there is a big difference between warm-up fixtures and hard Test rugby, and the coach has to ask himself: 'Do I want damage limitation or do I want to send out a really attacking team in Cardiff?' I don't think he can bring in too many new faces, but is Sean Lamont the right man in the centre? And does he stick with Dan or look to somebody like Laidlaw or Weir?

"Personally, I want us to throw whatever we can at Wales and my attitude is that you don't get experience by sitting on benches. But nobody should have any illusions how tough this match will be."

As if to emphasise how much the balance has tilted, Weir savoured four triumphs over the Principality's finest in the 1990s, and was involved in the 16-14 victory in 1996, in addition to playing a pivotal part in some sterling acts of dragon-dowsing at Murrayfield.

Wales have hardly become world-beaters within a couple of seasons but they are thriving on a combination of confidence, callow precociousness and a crowd which has grown used to feats of derring-do.

"We seem to prefer being underdogs, which is probably just as well in this case, but we have to take our opportunities, translate our pressure into points, make our last pass or kick the right one, and get in their faces," said Weir, who reckons Robinson cannot afford to persist with the status quo. "I would start with Laidlaw at No.10, and look to blood the youngsters, but it is a major call, and I also don't believe in fielding players out of position"

"I suppose the reality is that we will have to fight for every inch of territory and make every single tackle count. Perhaps we're not as naturally gifted as their backs, but I don't believe we have forgotten how to score tries, not when you look at how Edinburgh have fared in the Heineken Cup. So this isn't the time to be negative."

Instead, it is Scotland preparing for another challenge with low expectations, but high motivation. Plus ca change . . .