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{ Scotland rugby coach Andy Robinson was today urged to grab the chance of injecting fresh blood into an ailing national team as he prepares to unveil a line-up tomorrow to face Ireland at Murrayfield in Sunday's RBS Six Nations Championship clash.
Having lost both matches so far, Robinson now finds himself unable to call upon regulars Joe Ansbro and Hugo Southwell, as well as Rory Lamont, who is also injured.

But, while wishing no player any harm, former Scotland captain Gary Armstrong beli

eves it is time for a clear-out anyway and questions whether current incumbents have forgotten what it means to pull on the dark blue jersey.

"Did the team that gave such an inept performance against Wales last time really want to play for the jersey? Or were they more interested in picking up a pay-packet because there were times when it looked that way," said Armstrong, who retired from internationals following the 1999 World Cup.

Adds the former colleague of coach Robinson on the 1989 Lions tour of Australia: "This Six Nations title has gone now for Scotland so why not look ahead to the World Cup later this year and start the planning?

"I've been impressed by what Robinson has done for Scotland so far but he has to make a stance and not just try to punch holes in the glass box he sits in at the back of the stand. He looked rattled by the way the team fell apart against Wales and I hope the team have been shaken by the outcry over the past week and a half because the performance was terrible."

That was a reference to how television cameras caught Robinson venting his displeasure during the 6-24 defeat as he pounded on the glass panes of a box he shares with fellow coaches and team analysts.

In particular, Armstrong has called for a new set of half-backs, saying: "Greig Laidlaw did nothing wrong when introduced as a substitute for the second half against New Zealand but hasn't had an opportunity since to show what he can do. At Edinburgh he has been making Mike Blair work for a scrum-half place and even starting ahead of him.

"I think the time has come for Greig to take over with Scotland," he said of a position he occupied with distinction.

If Laidlaw does come in, it will mean leapfrogging both Blair and Rory Lawson, who has started on both occasions so far. Added Armstrong: "As for stand off I couldn't understand picking Dan Parks against Wales when he plays his club rugby there with Cardiff and all the Welsh boys knew exactly what he could and couldn't do.

"Now is the time to start Ruaridh Jackson and find out if he can handle the occasion.

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Labels: Armstrong, changes, demands, Nations, Scotland, Scotsman