Scotland striving to 'put more big teams to the sword' - Cummings

Scott Cummings admits Scotland must earn more victories against the world's top teams if they are to prove their progress as a squad.

The Scots welcome New Zealand to Murrayfield on Saturday, who they have never beaten in 32 matches across 120 years.

Gregor Townsend's side were beaten by France, England and Ireland in this year's Six Nations and lost to South Africa in last year's Autumn internationals.

"It's one of the matches we're targeting," second-rower Cummings said of the New Zealand clash.

"We're trying to grow as a team - it's about us trying to put more of the big teams to the sword.

"We've done it with some of the Six Nations teams, but South Africa and New Zealand, we haven't done that yet. It's something we're focusing on."

The Glasgow Warriors stalwart believes the excitement that accompanies a Test against New Zealand will ensure Scotland go into the match in the best possible state.

"There is a difference," he said. "It's a challenging thing not to let there be a difference.

"It should be the same every week and our processes aren't going to change.

"There might be a wee bit of extra bite in training and guys will be gutted not to be playing.

"Guys will be trying to put their hands up this week, so there will be a lift in intensity and that can only do us good to have a quality squad pushing together to make the 23 as good as it can be.

"There's always that wee bit of extra excitement around it, but it's something we'll control."

The match could be a special one in more ways than one for Cummings, who hopes his infant son Charlie will be in attendance at Murrayfield.

"It's been amazing," he said about becoming a father. "My son was born three weeks ago. It puts a new perspective on a couple of things.

"It's hard at times not being there to help my wife and see the wee man because he's changing so much every day.

"We're hoping [he can be at the game]. It would be lovely to get a picture with him after the match."