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MacLeod seeks redemption

Scotland lock wants to do his talking on the field

By Tony Curtis Last updated: 6th March 2008

MacLeod: Wants to put the past few weeks behind him

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Scott MacLeod is keen to concentrate on just playing rugby as he returns to action following a failed drugs test.

The Scotland lock tested positive after inadvertently changing asthma inhalers without informing the relevant authorities.

MacLeod was cleared to continue playing by an independent panel - although he was warned about his future conduct - and he is raring to go against England in the RBS Six Nations.

MacLeod, who has shaken off a shoulder injury to take his place in the line-up at Murrayfield, said: "I had a big scrummage session yesterday; we did lots of pick-and-gos, driving line-outs and so on - and I came through that all fine.

"The main thing was that I didn't want to be out of contention for selection through injury this week after what has happened, and luckily I've been given the chance to start again.

"I didn't want people to keep dwelling on the drugs thing. People will be talking about it again this weekend anyway, no doubt, but I'm keen to get back to playing rugby.

Wally

"I was a bit worried, because the black and white of it is that I failed a drugs test.

"People have said I was a bit of a wally for letting it happen, but there hasn't been anything really negative.

"I think everyone has accepted that I take medication purely for my asthma and it's been an administrative mistake.

"They recognise that I haven't taken anything for performance-enhancing reasons or anything like that.

"I've had stick from the boys, of course - but it has just been banter."

While MacLeod is seeking to put his troubles behind him, the 29-year-old Llanelli Scarlets forward knows that the side as a whole needs to bounce back after three straight defeats in this season's competition.

"It's been really disappointing so far - we really have trained hard but have got nothing from it at because of simple errors," he explained.

"This week we have trained particularly well, and we have too many good players not to click at some point.

"We hope we can put a performance together that will not only make Scotland proud but give us something we feel we deserve.

"If we beat England it won't quite be the case that all will be forgiven, but it will go a long way towards redeeming us."