Six Nations: Ross Ford wants to reduce Scotland indiscipline

Ross Ford, 30, has made more than 80 appearances for Scotland

Hooker Ross Ford says Scotland must stop giving away penalties if they are to beat Wales in the Six Nations this weekend.

The Murrayfield men gave away 11 penalties in their 15-8 defeat in France on Saturday.

Ford believes it is an area of the game Scotland must improve on in the remainder of the championship.

"It's something that did let the French into the game and we need to be a lot sharper this weekend," Ford, 30, said.

"I watched the game back, we played some good rugby at times, asked them some serious questions and made some good line breaks - then it came down to discipline.

"They fed off our ill discipline and kept the scoreboard ticking over. It is frustrating but no-one actively looks to give away stupid penalties.

Finn Russell is among the Scotland players who are new to the Six Nations arena

"It's hard to be squeaky clean all the time, you're put under a lot of pressure and sometimes you just end up in the wrong position."

The Edinburgh player knows Scotland are likely to be severely punished if they do not reduce the penalty count against the Welsh.

"[Leigh Halfpenny] is a good kicker and it's the same in all Test matches, the kickers are hitting high percentages so we have to be aware of that - we found out the hard way on Saturday so we have to be mindful of that this weekend and cut them down," the vice-captain added.

Ford remains positive about the Scotland squad and believes Six Nations debutants such as Mark Bennett, Finn Russell and Blair Cowan, have helped re-energise the rest of the side.

"The way we're performing, the enthusiasm and the buzz around the squad, it's good and it does feel new and fresh," he added.

"The boys that have come in have a lot to do with that, they've helped create it and it's great to have."

Meanwhile, prop Geoff Cross and flanker Rob Harley did not train with the Scotland squad in Tuesday's first session since the defeat in France but wing Tommy Seymour did take part after coming off early in Paris with a hip injury.

Euan Murray, who also sat out training, will not play against Wales on Sunday because of his religious beliefs.