Defeat by Wales 'incomprehensible' for Scotland

Scotland won 27-26 in Cardiff a year ago

Former captain Rory Lawson says defeat by Wales in round four of the Six Nations is "incomprehensible" for Scotland and believes they must use the frustration of the loss to England to deliver a "ruthless" display at Murrayfield.

The Scots failed to convert numerous chances to add to their three tries at Twickenham as they went down 16-15, a defeat that ended any realistic title hopes.

Lawson says Scotland now simply have to beat a Welsh side who, despite showing signs of improvement in interim head coach Matt Sherratt's first game in charge - a 27-18 defeat by Ireland - have lost their last 15 Tests.

"Scotland must win that game and are expected to win that game against Wales," Lawson told the BBC's Scotland Rugby Podcast.

"Matt Sherritt's changed the narrative, he's changed the mindset of not only the Welsh team but the Welsh public.

"But it's a different story when you lift that Welsh team up and take them out of Cardiff. And I think, for Scotland, they have to exert what they would view as being this cohesion, this togetherness, this understanding of what it takes to win big test matches at Murrayfield.

"I think they've got to get into Wales and it is incomprehensible to think of Scotland being one from four after the Wales game.

"Scotland have to take all the frustration of Allianz Stadium from the weekend and say 'We're going to be ruthless. When we get the chance in the red zone, we're going to be patient, but we're going to be punchy and we're going to take our opportunities when they come'."

Even though the Scots' championship hopes are gone for another year, Lawson says there is still plenty to play for in the final two matches at home to Wales and away to France.

"We know with the Scotland team, they create opportunities, they can create field position and they have game breakers," he added.

"Scotland have to go into this game looking to deliver a result that takes us on the road to Paris with some element of hope of grabbing something from this championship, albeit only two wins from four after that Wales game, hopefully."