Alasdair Strokosch has told his Scotland team-mates to harness the frustration of last year’s 51-3 defeat to Wales when the pair meet at Murrayfield in the Six Nations on Sunday.
The flanker was an eighth-minute replacement for Kelly Brown in the Millennium Stadium clash a year ago but could do nothing as Warren Gatland’s men ran in seven tries, as the Scots manfully defended with 14-man following the early dismissal of full-back Stuart Hogg.
However, times have changed in Scottish rugby since then, with the arrival of coach Vern Cotter giving the squad a fresh outlook and rather than wait in fear, they are instead relishing the challenge of taking on their Celtic neighbours on their home patch.
Both countries go into the game having lost their opening fixture in the Championship, leaving the Scots priced at 41.00 to win the tournament outright, while Wales are a much shorter 11.00.
Six Nations: Alasdair Strokosch hoping to gain from 2014 pain gain feature from the bench, says his team should use the humiliation of 12 months ago as motivation heading into the clash.
“It was horrible. Probably the worst feeling I’ve had having lost a game,” the 31-year-old said. “You could hear the Welsh team singing away and they were swan-diving over the try line when they scored.
“It was a horrible experience and not one I want to happen again.”
“We have got to win. We are at home as well – at home against a team who humiliated us last year. There are more than just tournament points at stake. There’s a bit of pride in it too.”
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