Blair wants 'ruthless edge'

Blair: Wants Scotland to cut loose

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Scotland captain Mike Blair has called on his players to show their "ruthless" edge when they take on Canada in Aberdeen.

The Scots have produced bright showings against New Zealand and South Africa, only to lose both games.

However, Scotland will go into the game against the Canucks at Pittodrie as clear favourites - and Blair wants his side to show their dominance.

"In the games against New Zealand and South Africa, we talked a lot about dominating the breakdown and collisions," said the scrum-half.

"I think it is an opportunity to show that we can dominate an opposition and see what happens on the back of that, as opposed to always talking about what the opposition can do.

Shock

"We've got to have a kind of ruthless edge and show what we can do."

The 27-year-old Blair knows only too well that Scotland can't afford to underestimate Canada - having a made his debut in the shock loss against them six years ago.

Blair actually scored in that match, but the Scots ended up going down to a 26-23 defeat in Vancouver.

"It was a funny sort of debut because it was in Canada in front of a couple of thousand people," said Blair.

"When you're growing up and you're thinking of getting your first cap, you have images of running out at Murrayfield in front of a packed crowd, scoring a try and winning the match.

"I was obviously amazingly proud to get my first cap but we lost the game and there were mixed emotions after that one."