Geoff Cross: 'Consistency needed from Scotland players'

Scotland prop Geoff Cross is eager to impress against Wales this afternoon in order to banish painful memories of the past against the Red Dragons.

The 32-year-old will make his fourth start against Warren Gatland's men in the Six Nations clash at Murrayfield, although his Test debut still holds bad memories.

Cross lasted just 20 minutes having mistimed his challenge for a high ball, catching Lee Byrne and knocking himself out in the process.

"It was my debut and, you know, I'd not done a lot of training receiving high balls," Cross, who was also shown a yellow card following the incident, is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail. "I think that was enthusiasm and ambition over purpose and training. In an international environment, you get punished for that - and I did."

The London Irish player is hopeful that Scotland can push on under Vern Cotter and achieve success with a host of youngsters ready to break through.

"I think the template we have in place for winning, that this coaching team has put in, is the clearest template I can remember," he added.

"Clarity for me is good because if I'm clear about what I have to do, then I've just got to get on and do it. It's down to the players in the group to execute consistently — more than we did against France — the things that we're setting out to do."

Scotland lost their opening game 15-8 against France last weekend.