Rugby Union: Scots outpaced by provincials

Cuyo Select . .25

Scotland. . . .11

SCOTLAND'S lack of back-row pace was harshly exposed during a comprehensive defeat at the hands of one of the weaker Argentinian provinces here on Saturday. Fielding a team with only seven full caps, the Scots' inexperience was also illustrated by the way the forwards persisted in trying to drive from line-outs only to deliver slow possession for a back division who were totally outplayed on a wide pitch.

The Scotland coach, Dougie Morgan, admitted: 'There was a gulf between that side and the one which we drew with in Buenos Aires in midweek and it goes to show we are short of international rugby players at certain levels. We were never in it and made too many wrong decisions.'

Cuyo, who led 11-5 at half-time, were no more than a workmanlike side who had been soundly beaten by Queensland and a New Zealand Development XV earlier this year. Scotland's teenage stand-off, Duncan Hodge, partially atoned for three missed penalty attempts with a try, but Cuyo repeatedly frustrated the Scots by killing the ball on the ground as the penalty count soared beyond the 40-mark.

Meanwhile, Scotland's team to play Cordoba tomorrow includes Bryan Redpath and Kenny Logan, now under strong pressure for their places at scrum-half and wing from, respectively, the uncapped Derek Patterson and Chris Dalgleish.

Argentina's preparations for the first Test against Scotland in Buenos Aires this Saturday were enhanced by a 28-22 win over the United States in a World Cup qualifying match at Long Beach, California, on Saturday.

Cuyo: Tries Bertranou, Diaz, Cassone; Conversions Cremashi 2; Penalties Cremaschi 2. Scotland: Try Hodge; Penalties Shepherd 2.

Cuyo: M Brandi; E Saurina, P Cremaschi, P Capitelli (capt), M Roby; L Speroni, M Diaz; R Grau, F Bartolini, M Miranda, P Pascual, P Lambert, M Cassone, M Bertranau, G Correa-Llano.

SCOTLAND: K Logan (Stirling County); C Joiner (Melrose), R Shepherd (Edinburgh Academicals), I Jardine (Stirling County), C Dalgleish (Gala); D Hodge (Watsonians), B Redpath (Melrose); A Watt (Glasgow HSFP / Kelvinside), S Brotherstone (Melrose), P Burnell (London Scottish), S Munro (Glasgow HSFP / Kelvinside), S Campbell (Dundee HSFP), F Wallace (Glasgow HSFP / Kelvinside), S Reid (Boroughmuir), D McIvor (Edinburgh Academicals).

Referee: E Sklar (Arura).

SCOTLAND (v Cordoba, tomorrow): R Shepherd (Edinburgh Academicals); C Joiner (Melrose), S Nichol (Selkirk), I Jardine, K Logan (Stirling County); D Hodge (Watsonians), B Redpath (Melrose); A Watt (Glasgow HSFP / Kelvinside), S Brotherstone (Melrose), S Ferguson (Peebles), J Richardson (Edinburgh Academicals, capt), S Campbell (Dundee HSFP), F Wallace (Glasgow HSFP / Kelvinside), C Hogg (Melrose), D McIvor (Edinburgh Academicals).