You had only to watch the first few minutes of Scotland's game against South Africa last weekend to recognise the Jim Telfer trademark on the Scottish forward play as the blue-shirted hosts, with perfect low-driving position and carefully calculated line-out work, ripped the heart out of the Springboks pack.

It always seemed a fair bet that sooner rather than later Telfer, Scotland's director of rugby, would return to coach the national team, a side who have had two lean seasons since defeating England at Murrayfield in the 2000 Calcutta Cup game.

Telfer has experienced two grand slams - in 1984 and 1990 - and a championship triumph in 1999. Moreover, he was the architect of the Lions forwards' domination of the Springbok pack in the 1997 Test series.

Then, as now, Telfer was assistant to Ian McGeechan in a partnership of contrasting styles - styles that nevertheless complement one another.

Telfer, raised in the tough school of Borders rugby, brought the experience of his playing environment into coaching, giving the Scotland pack of 1990 the edge to eclipse England in the famous Murrayfield grand-slam decider.

McGeechan is seen as having a more philosophical outlook on the game, evidenced by his often long and incomprehensible explanations that Telfer can sum up in 10 words. Even so Telfer insists that there is an essential chemistry between the pair: 'We've got similar rugby backgrounds, having both captained Scotland and having both played for the Lions. Moreover, we were both teachers and both wanted to be coaches. We're very different in character and nature, however.'

It is Telfer's ability to imbue his charges with the passion to win that is so valuable to the Scotland side this season, a trait he recognises within himself. 'I felt that there could be a need for a sharper edge to the tongue. Players know that I am a strong discipli narian. I would like to think that I could influence their attitudes both on and off the field.'

But he also admits: 'Players are now much more involved in the team tactics, whereas before these were coach-led. The coaches' job now is to keep the hand on the tiller.'

For Telfer the enthusiasm for coaching is as strong as ever. 'I got a huge buzz out of the win over South Africa last weekend. I felt, however, that we should have won by more.' Certainly a big win will be sought this afternoon, when Scotland face Fiji in the final match of the autumn Test series.

Telfer can rightly say that the forwards have already passed the test. What is required now is for the backs to show their competence. The expectation is that Scotland, knowing what natural athletes Fiji possess and having seen them perform well against Scotland A at Stirling last Wednesday, will try to dominate up front before they release the fast men. 'I've never been an advocate of loose rugby,' McGeechan reminded those anticipating a basketball game at Murrayfield today.

Scotland fielded a pack last week that boasted an average of 30 caps a player. But, outside Bryan Redpath and Gregor Townsend, the backs are inexperienced. There is, however, a feeling that, with the likes of Andy Craig at outside centre, Ben Hinshelwood (whose father, Sandy, played wing for both Scotland and the Lions) at full-back and Nikki Walker on the wing , there is new life in a backline that over the past two seasons has been ploddingly ineffective.

Telfer appreciates that there is a 'new dawn' label being hung on this Scotland side, but he warns that success might still be elusive. What he does believe, though, is that the team have attained a new performance level. 'I think we are now competitive again,' he says. Fiji, at the very least, should test that assumption.

Scotland: Hinshelwood; Walker, Craig, Laney, Paterson; Townsend, Redpath; Smith, Bulloch, Douglas, White, Grimes, Taylor, Pountney, Petrie. Replacements: Scott, Hilton, Hines, Leslie, Beveridge, Ross, Moffat.

Fiji: Narivo; Lasaigavabau, Ruitivadra, Bai, Laigiri; Nahrulli, Railuni; Nyhoff, Smith, Carnbati, Naevo, Raiwalui, Koyinbole, Mocelutu, Tawakew. Replacements: Rasila, Katulau, Leaware, Serevi, Satala, Mow.

Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa).

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