MacLeod out to impress

Dec 22 2007 by Staff Reporter, Western Mail

WHILE Wales’ big guns will be out to impress Warren Gatland over the Christmas period, Scarlets’ lock Scott MacLeod will be targeting a move further up the Scotland pecking order.

MacLeod has been told by Scotland coach Frank Hadden he is on the march up the second-row ratings and will definitely be in contention when the Six Nations Championship kicks off. Scotland start their campaign at home to France before visiting the Millennium Stadium on February 9.

And the nine-cap former Borders forward is determined to have a good festive period, starting with a potential Christmas cracker against the Ospreys at Stradey Park next Thursday.

At the World Cup the 28-year-old was rated as Scotland’s fifth lock behind Scott Murray, Nathan Hines, James Hamilton and Alistair Kellock, but that’s all changed.

“I had a one-to-one with Frank after the World Cup and he told me I had go up into third place in the lock ratings after being down at fifth during the World Cup,” revealed Macleod. “He told me I was right where I wanted to be and told me to keep playing well and get myself in contention for a starting place.”