Johnnie Beattie insists Scotland showed enough in their six nations championship opener against France to be confident of upsetting Wales this weekend.
Glasgow number eight Beattie was arguably one of only a smattering of Andy Robinson’s players to enhance their reputation in Sunday’s 18-9 defeat at Murrayfield.
France dominated territory and could easily have won more convincingly, even though the Scotland camp claim it was the taking of chances which was the biggest difference between the sides.
“We did show we can create things and if we can finish off then we’ll be dangerous,” said Beattie, who made one telling break in the first half which the home side failed to finish off.
He added: “It’s disappointing to get off to that start, but you’ve just got to have a next game mentality, look forward to the next challenge and get back on the horse quickly and look to reverse things.
“It’s good it’s only a few days away.”
Wales also lost their opening match, going down 30-17 to England, but the manner of their defeat was in stark contrast, with Warren Gatland’s men arguably the better side at Twickenham with 15 men on the field.
Former Aberdeen Grammar player Beattie applauded Wales’ strength of character, adding: “They really fought well when they went down to 14 men and they played really well.
“Some key players stood out, James Hook played really well.
“So if we can shackle them and get our attack operating the way it should then we can go down there and win.
“Both teams are going to look to rectify from this weekend, so it’ll be massively tough. They’re a talented bunch of players and very physical.
“But we’re looking to go down there and win and we’ll be positive about it.”
Beattie and Sean Lamont will be the only Scotland players not sweating on their place in the side for Saturday’s trip to the Millennium Stadium.
The way the front row was demolished at times means a likely recall for Euan Murray and possibly fellow prop Allan Jacobsen.
Graeme Morrison will also be looking over his shoulder after failing to contain two-try centre Mathieu Bastereaud, with Alex Grove waiting in the wings.
But the biggest call comes at fly half after Phil Godman once again failed to produce under pressure.
Robinson must decide whether to persist with the Edinburgh man, switch Chris Paterson from full back for his 100th cap, risk recalling the erratic Dan Parks, or blood the exciting, but untried, Ruaridh Jackson.
While winning in Wales may be asking too much, an improved performance at the Millennium Stadium is crucial to avoid questions being asked about whether the Robinson revolution has made any real difference at all.
Hinting at changes to come, Robinson added 12 players to Sunday’s 22-man squad.
Fit-again co-captain Mike Blair, Murray, Parks, Jackson, Nick de Luca, Jim Hamilton, Dougie Hall, Simon Danielli and Rory Lamont were already part of the Scotland camp. They have been joined by Ben Cairns, Scott Gray and Nikki Walker, who missed out on the original selection.
Scotland were also monitoring bruising suffered by Beattie (hip), Morrison (leg), Paterson (calf), Thom Evans (calf), Nathan Hines (calf), and a shoulder strain to Kelly Brown.