Scotland’s assistant coach Matt Taylor cannot wait to see Scotland test themselves against Australia and New Zealand in the Autumn internationals.
Gregor Townsend’s men will play Samoa on November 11 before facing the Kiwi’s and Wallabies in consecutive weeks at BT Murrayfield.
And with the contests against some of the world’s best now under three months away, Taylor revealed his side will have their hands full.
“New Zealand are certainly an exceptional team,” he said. “When you look at the All Blacks versus the Lions and the All Blacks versus Australia the big difference was the physicality and line speed the Lions brought.
“Australia didn’t manage to do that and lost a few tries. But Australia were very good in attack as well. At the moment they are a very good attacking team.
“We will have our hands full when we play those two sides. We will be working hard to shut them down, get good line speed and be really physical in the tackle contest.”
Taylor was quick to heap praise on Greig Laidlaw following his call up to the Lions this summer and sees no reason why the new Clermont Auvergne scrum-half can’t continue to play a crucial part in Scotland’s development.
“We had a one-on-one with Greig. I don’t think he has anything to prove,” Taylor said.
“He has been an exceptional leader for us and he has come here and trained really well. We’re excited to have him back.
“He is one of the best captains I’ve ever been involved with and he has led the team brilliantly. John [Barclay] has done a great job in his absence and it is great to have a number of good leaders who can step up. You want that in an international team.”
But Scotland are likely to face the Southern Hemisphere sides without lock Richie Gray after he underwent back surgery.
Gray is said to be out for two months after going under the knife yesterday and also missed the national side’s summer tour with the same problem.
