Carling combats style critics

Chris Hewett hears a Scottish coach take exception to negative tactics

A BITTERLY disappointed Scottish hierarchy almost resisted the urge to extend the Calcutta Cup hostilities beyond the final whistle, but the temptation finally proved too great. The backs' coach David Johnston launched a caustic attack on another limited, not to say negative, English performance: "I'd like to have Jeremy Guscott's contract because he doesn't seem to do much for his money." It was a direct assault on a predictable English game plan unashamedly based around the four-square Leicester icon Dean Richards, who achieved precisely the degree of muscular control the Scots had feared.

Jim Telfer and Richie Dixon, Johnston's coaching colleagues, refused to be dragged into an outright condemnation of England's style, but Telfer left no doubt about his feelings by sayingpointedly: "It's not for us to discuss that issue. It's up to the English management to discuss it. But I felt they won sufficient possession to have won the game by more."

England's captain Will Carling rejected Johnston's criticism. "There may not have been any tries, but it wasn't for the want of effort," he said. "There was a lot of pride and passion out there and the Scottish defence was magnificent. We were desperate to win and we are very relieved to have done so. We've been given a lot of stick in recent weeks but it only served to motivate us. In fact, it was great for us."

Richards was even less inclined to make excuses for a try-less England display. "By hook or by crook, we wanted to win - that's all there is to it," he said after issuing an assurance that the knee injury that forced him off in the final stages was not serious and would not keep him out of the Five Nations' finale with Ireland on Saturday week.

"I was pleased with the form of the England pack," he added. "We took it to the Scots - remember, it's a daunting task to come to Murrayfield when they are on a high and chasing a Grand Slam.

"If I brought anything to the team, it was a little bit of experience. Having been on the bench for the past two games, I was frustrated because it was obvious the only things that were costing us were one or two wrong decisions. We've been heavily criticised but you have to play to your strengths."

One Scot who steered well clear of attacking England's style was Gregor Townsend, whose brilliant second-half run created the only try-scoring opportunity of a disappointing match.

"England found ways of slowing down the quick ball that we live on," he said. "If we want to progress we will have to find answers to those sort of questions. In recent games, England have seemed unsure as to exactly what they were trying to achieve. On this occasion, they were very sure indeed."