RBS 6 Nations

The Glasgow flanker has suffered five defeats from six appearances since making his debut last year, the latest of which was Saturday’s agonising loss to world champions South Africa.

Barclay has a great chance to double his tally of victories when Scotland travel to Aberdeen to face Canada in their final autumn international on Saturday.

The 22-year-old believes his country have almost forgotten how to win after they competed so well against New Zealand and the Springboks but failed to convert their opportunities into meaningful points.

“Whenever England played in their build-up towards the 2003 World Cup, they never doubted that they were going to win games,” he said.

“Even when they were losing, they always had that composure and that trust in each other that they would go on and win.”

That conviction was missing from what were otherwise hugely encouraging performances in Scotland’s first two November Tests.

Barclay added: “If you can get a few wins under your belt, you tend to get a snowball effect. You build momentum and other teams take you more seriously.”

Barclay admitted he is sick and tired of people patting him on the back for playing well every time Scotland lose.

Numerous well-wishers have attempted to gee up the flanker in the last fortnight.

But while he appreciates their efforts, he insists only one thing will lift his spirits: winning.

“I know we’re not being patronised but that’s what it feels like,” he said.

“You’ve got people saying, ‘You did so well’, and there’s only so many times you want to hear that.

“Your mum says, ‘Your granny phoned me - you played so well’. And you’re like, ‘Yeah, but we still lost’ - it always comes back to that.”