Scots must become more physical

Scotland international Mike Blair has urged his team-mates not to shoot themselves in the foot when the RBS 6 Nations starts next year.

The Edinburgh Gunners scrum-half, who came on for the injured Chris Cusiter in the 45-10 defeat by South Africa at the weekend, admits the Scots failed to deal adequately with the power of the Tri-Nations champions at Murrayfield.

But, after three defeats from four autumn Test matches, the signs are ominous for Matt Williams' team ahead of the Six Nations.

Scotland ended up with the wooden spoon in the tournament earlier this year after suffering five straight defeats.

Blair faces a personal fight with Cusiter for the number nine jersey before the Six Nations begins in Cardiff against Wales on February 14.

But he recognises Scotland need to develop more physical strength after the loss against the Springboks at the weekend, when he was playing behind a retreating pack as the visitors won the physical confrontation.

Blair said: "I would not say we were completely muscled out of the game at the weekend, but we were not able to do what we wanted to.

"We struggled to get quality, quick ball and, when that happens, it is always difficult to carry out your gameplan.

"If some passes had gone to hand, it could have been different but they pressured us into making mistakes.

"That was not a surprise, we just did not deal with it."