Robinson: Called for composure

Scotland's attacking profligacy cost them dear during an error-strewn Calcutta Cup loss to England at Murrayfield last weekend, which stretched their barren try-scoring run.

The record shows it is now four Test matches in succession that Scotland have failed to cross the opposition line, which is a damning statistic they cannot afford to extend against a Wales team creating scoring chances for fun.

"The big area for us is to keep our composure," said Scotland head coach Robinson, after today's final squad work-out under a Millennium Stadium closed roof.

"The set-piece went well (against England), we ran hard with the ball and we made line-breaks. We just didn't finish off, and that is the key to Test rugby.

"We had a four-on-two (overlap) that we didn't finish off last week, and at other times it was two on one.

"I have been delighted with our endeavour and the way we are trying to play the game. It's now about getting over the line. Whether it is three points or five points, you have got to finish things off."

Scotland have not won in Cardiff for 10 years, their last success being a 27-22 victory which was secured by two Gordon Bulloch tries and 14 points from full-back Brendan Laney.

And they will encounter a Wales team high on confidence following their World Cup exploits and last Sunday's victory over Ireland in Dublin that confirmed strong Six Nations title credentials.

"It's totally different from last week," Robinson added.

"The way the Welsh team played, I thought was exceptional. The rhythm they found against a very good Irish team, and to win the game in the manner they did was a real credit to the spirit they have in their squad.

"If you look at the amount of defending we had to do last week, it was not a lot, and that is one of the key areas this week - to understand that we are going to have probably a 50-50 share of defensive work to do.

"I think Wales play a good all-round game. They have an astute kicking game, as well as being able to play with ball in hand, so they are very well balanced in the way they want to play the game.

"One lapse, and they have the ability to exploit that.

"George North is exceptional at what he does, as is Jamie Roberts. Jonathan Davies scored two very good tries last week, Leigh Halfpenny is a cracking counter-attacker, there was Rhys Priestland's offload to Jonathan Davies for his first try last week, and then you've got Mike Phillips, too.

"You just can't focus on one player.

"You have got to have trust in the way that you want to defend, you have to get off the line and you have got to put them on the floor."

Scotland's pack, notably the second-row combination of Richie Gray and Jim Hamilton and the back-row trio of Alasdair Strokosch, Ross Rennie and David Denton, is undoubtedly strong enough to challenge Wales up front.

And if the Scots can secure quick, quality ball, it will be up to rookie fly-half Greig Laidlaw to run the show.

"I believe our forwards have been going well, but this is the next game," Robinson said.

"I have not come across a poor Welsh pack. I played against Welsh teams quite a few times in my career, and coached against them, and Welsh forwards are very good.

"It starts at 0-0, and we've got to get ourselves right into the game and be able to create chances. I think the Welsh defence is well organised, so it is going to be a lot harder for us to break them down.

"But if you get really quick ball, we believe we can break any defence down."