Allan Dell urges Scotland to 'step things up' for Australia Test

Allan Dell has told his Scotland team-mates they need to "step things up" if they want to compete with Australia on Saturday.

Scotland beat Italy 34-13 last weekend, but Dell believes that Australia, ranked third in the world, will present tougher competition. The Scots will go into the Test at Allianz Park - live on Sky Sports 1 - as big underdogs.

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"Australia are a really good side, especially at home. They have a lot of dangerous players around the park," Dell said. "In all facets of our game, we need to step things up, be patient and stick to things we know."

Dell also urged Scotland not to just pay attention to Australia's backs, who are acknowledged as some of the most dangerous in world rugby.

"You cannot just say the backs are dangerous, we do not really need to talk about the backs," Dell said. "Look at Sekupe Kepu (the prop). He scored a try from halfway in Super Rugby just a couple of weeks ago. It shows the forwards are capable.

"Obviously we have to try to limit their opportunities. We do not want to give them broken-play ball, because they can score from anywhere.

However, despite recognising the threat that Australia pose, Dell still thinks that Scotland can pull off a shock victory over a side that they have only beaten twice in 22 years - a record which stretches back to 1982.

Dell said: "We are going to go in confident. We are going to go in with a plan and a structure, and if it comes off, we will be on top.

"We will always back our set piece, we are happy that we have got the players that can do the job.

"We need to limit the ball they have, but at the same time we need to be doing something with the ball ourselves. There is no point in holding it, going through the phases and getting nowhere."

Dell, 25, is hoping to make his tenth appearance for Scotland against the Wallabies, in what will be Gregor Townsend's second Test as head coach.

The South-African born prop impressed against Italy, but is not taking a start against Australia for granted.

Dell said: "I was happy to be given the opportunity (against Italy), but we will see how this weekend goes. We have a big squad and we will have to see what Gregor has decided."