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Scotland enjoyed their best Guinness Men’s Six Nations when they finished third behind France and Ireland, after earning three wins from five for the first time since 2023. It was also the first time that Gregor Townsend’s team has been in contention for the title on the last day since the Championship grew to six teams.
Along the way Townsend’s side played some magnificent rugby, most notably in home victories over England and France. They also showed a steelier side to fight back from 20-5 down with 30 minutes remaining to claim victory over Wales in Cardiff.
It could have been so different after they lost 18-15 to Italy in Rome. Calls came for Townsend to be sacked, but he held his nerve, gave his team a second chance and they responded superbly against England.
He also juggled his resources well and brought some high profile figures back into the team after earlier discarding them.
Scottish rugby is on an upswing, but can it continue…ATR has a look at their prospects.
Manage Expectations
Townsend is a notoriously hard interview. He gives very little, holds his cards very close to his vest, and throws out very few soundbites. It served him well this Championship when many were sharpening the knives after the loss in Rome and then exulting him to the heavens when they tore England and France to pieces.
After their final match, and defeat to Ireland, he again struck the right tone. It was a disappointing end to a memorable tournament. They shouldn’t despair at their loss to Ireland, the team at home, who had a day extra recovery, and who they hadn’t beaten during his tenure.
That ability to manage expectations will be vital as resources become stretched and the team heads south of the equator in July. Scotland and Italy have the fewest elite clubs teams, so will always be punching above their weight. It is no shame when they lose to better resourced teams.
Decision Over Dempsey
Good grief, number eight Jack Dempsey was brilliant, and after he missed the Round 3 fixture away to Wales, he returned with aplomb against France. Dempsey led the way with 15 carries and made seven tackles. He gave the team direction and a target to build their attack around. All that was missing was a try.
Now though, if reports are to be believed, he is leaving Glasgow Warriors for a stint in Japan League One Rugby. He will leave a huge hole in the Warriors side, as will Huw Jones who will head to Toulon at the end of the season. At least Jones is in Europe and can join Ben White on the flight home.
Managing Dempsey’s travel and ensuring they have him back for internationals will be vital. He gives the team so much and he is part of the team that is nigh on irreplaceable.
Replacing Russell
It isn’t too much of a stretch to imagine that losing Finn Russell would be an absolute disaster for Townsend. He is their tactical brain, their heartbeat, and jack in the box rolled into one. Rugby fans would also miss out on watching his magic.
Russell may be 33, but he is in great form and plays with a calmness and confidence that was best shown in the fightback against Wales. In years past he may have tried something outrageous, but in Cardiff he was patient and waited for his moment and then struck.
When things weren’t going well against Italy, at no time did Townsend look to replace Russell with Adam Hastings, and by the end Tom Jordan, who started at fullback against Italy and England, was coming off the bench to act as a second playmaker.
It is a sign that the Bristol Bears player is the one to replace to Russell in case injury or a dramatic drop in form occurs. But it would make sense for Townsend to give him a starting role, or just more minutes at 10 to help him build familiarity and confidence in the position because you never know when that injury might strike.
What Next?
Scotland head west for their opening World Rugby Nations Championship fixture, away to Argentina in Cordoba. It will be a strong test of their newfound confidence, with memories of letting a 21 point lead slip at Murrayfield last November.
From, there they cross to South Africa and a clash at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, before finishing in Murrayfield against Fiji, albeit in the role of away team, after the Pacific islanders opted to play their fixtures in Europe.
It gives Townsend to rotate his stocks, and there might well be the argument for sending his main team straight home after facing Argentina to begin preparations for the match against Fiji, while a second string side heads to South Africa to help lessen the burden.
Watch out too for Glasgow Warriors, who have been in superb form in the United Rugby Championship (URC) and Investec Champions Cup. How will the announced departures, and a long season affect their title challenges in both competitions?