Scotland told their exact motivation to beat England at Six Nations
Scotland host England in the Six Nations next Saturday
Craig Chalmers, the former fly-half, has urged Scotland to channel their frustration from their controversial loss against France in the upcoming Six Nations clash with England. He also expressed his exasperation at the referee's decision not to award a match-winning try to Scotland during the game against France.
Chalmers, who was watching the game from the Murrayfield stands, couldn't understand why the referee didn't see what appeared to be a clear try by substitute Sam Skinner. This decision led to France winning 20-16 and ended Scotland's hopes of a Grand Slam.
"I just don't understand how the referee didn't see it," Chalmers told the PA. "The big mistake he made was saying on-field 'no try'. Inside the stadium, it 95 per cent looked like a try to me. He should have got in closer to it and put his hands in and had a better look."
Despite the disappointment, Chalmers believes that Scotland must move past their anger and focus on their next match against England.
Chalmers expressed his disappointment about the recent match, saying: "It's frustrating because Saturday was a game we should have won but the players and coaches have to get over it now.
He added: "There's nothing they can do about it, it's done. We've all been there before when things have gone against us but you can't change it."
Reflecting on past regrets, he mentioned: "Some of these things you never get over, look at the 1991 World Cup. We all still wish Gavin Hastings kicked that (penalty in the 9-6 semi-final defeat by England)."
He also noted the importance of seizing opportunities: "You probably remember these kind of things more than some of the good things that happen."
Chalmers suggested that a break might be beneficial: "When you get beat like that, you want to get back playing but it's probably a good thing that they get a break this weekend, and also a chance to look at the decisions they could have made better."
He pointed out a missed tactical opportunity: "I think we should have taken our points at times, especially at the end of the first half, just get the three points over the bar and keep the scoreboard ticking."
Finally, he lamented Scotland's failure to capitalize on their opponent's weaknesses: "Scotland were testing the French all the time but we just didn't take our chances." Chalmers concluded: "You've got to do that at this level, especially when France are missing their two talisman players at half-back, (Antoine) Dupont and (Romain) Ntamack."
"France were poor and the Scottish coaches and players know that's one that got away, especially considering we were all talking about potential championships and what we could do this year."
England have won only one of their last six meetings with Scotland and Chalmers feels the Calcutta Cup match a week on Saturday gives Townsend's team a good chance to banish their disappointment.
"We've just got to try and focus on England and winning that one because we can still win a Triple Crown and the championship," he said.
"England have become a team we like beating over the last five or six years, and I don't think this year should be any different.
"I think Scotland know what they're trying to do, they've got a way of playing that they all buy into, whereas I don't think England have really worked that out yet.
"They've got a lot of new guys in and they're in a bit of a transition but they have won eight of their last nine games so they will have a little bit of confidence on the back of that."