RUGBY: Scotland draw a line in the sand after late letdowns - Jones

EDINBURGH – Scotland is determined not to let opportunities slip away after missing a chance to beat New Zealand for the first time and giving up a 21-0 lead against Argentina last November, center Huw Jones said.

With the Six Nations set to kick off next month, Scotland’s preparations have centered on avoiding the late-game collapses that marked their two major internationals at the end of last year.

The Scots trailed 17-0 against the All Blacks before fighting back to level the score with 20 minutes remaining, only to concede a late try and a penalty, losing 25-17.

Against the Pumas, Scotland held a 21-0 lead before Argentina scored five tries in the final 23 minutes, handing Scotland a 33-24 defeat in front of a stunned Murrayfield crowd.

“The Argentina one was huge – it was 21 points, and then we threw away that lead,” Jones said. “But I think it had happened in the past, and we hadn’t really dealt with it properly. I think of two Wales games in the last two Six Nations, which we won, but they were a lot closer than they should have been.”

Jones said the issue had been addressed as Scotland began training this week ahead of their opening Six Nations match against Italy in Rome on February 7.

“I feel like we’ve drawn a line in the sand, and that shouldn’t happen again,” he told reporters. “We’ve made the changes now, whereas previously, maybe we’d focus on other things and thought, ‘It’s fine, we won that game,’ and it went unchecked. I’ve really noticed this week how much further along this group has come. Those New Zealand and Argentina games were really frustrating.

“I think the lessons we’ve learned from those matches can’t be ignored, and there have been changes and improvements with our processes and the mentality of the squad. I’ve seen that this week, especially since I’ve been away for a while. It’s been really good to come back into a new and improved environment.”

Jones, who played for the British & Irish Lions in Australia last year, is returning to the Scotland squad after missing the November tests while recovering from Achilles tendon surgery.

-Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Peter Rutherford/Reuters