Cup loss still hurts Jacobsen

Allan Jacobsen admits there is still “frustration” in the Scotland camp over their World Cup exit at the hands of England last year.

England eliminated their Calcutta Cup rivals of the tournament with a 16-12 victory in Auckland, meaning for the first time in their history the Scots failed to make it out of the group stages.

Andy Robinson’s side will get a chance to exact some revenge when they welcome England to Murrayfield on the opening weekend of the RBS Six Nations.

The visitors are currently on a three-match losing streak in Edinburgh, though Scotland are chasing just a second opening game victory in 13 attempts.

“There’s still frustration and regrets about the way the World Cup went for us. I don’t think that will ever change,” Jacobsen said.

“But we’re playing them again and I guess I just want us to play as well as we can and win.

“The World Cup’s gone, but it will always be there in the back of the mind that I was part of the first team that didn’t qualify – and we could have, just by playing better.”

Potential

The 33-year-old prop has called for Scotland to finally play to their potential after coming out on the wrong end of some close results in recent times.

He added: “The guys are all looking good in training, guys have been playing well back at their club.

“We’ve got to play to our potential and that’s where we’ve struggled.

“There’s probably not a bigger game for Scotland than playing England at Murrayfield for the Calcutta Cup – I’m excited and just want to get out there.”