With the Six Nations done and dusted for another year, we look at the state of affairs in each of the competing nations. Next up, Scotland.
Going into Vern Cotter’s farewell campaign there was room for optimism in the Scotland camp after Glasgow’s continued rise in the European club game. So many players were in good form and one felt that they would trouble many, if not all, their rivals in the 2017 Championship.
So it proved as, barring their performance against England, they were right up there challenging and finished level on points with second-placed Ireland. Granted Scotland would end the Six Nations in fourth place but three wins and two defeats meant they were in a good place.
It was an emotional campaign to say the least as at its conclusion even Cotter shed a tear after a tenure that is starting to bear fruit. The call to change their head coach was a bold one from the Scottish Rugby Union and it rankles a few supporters for sure, but in Gregor Townsend they have an ideal replacement who has the potential to build on the foundations Cotter laid. The future’s bright at Murrayfield.
That was where their Six Nations campaign began this year and it started in impressive style as they defeated a much-fancied Ireland side 27-22, thanks to two tries from Stuart Hogg and one from Alex Dunbar, with Greig Laidlaw kicking 12 points. Scotland were off and running.
Victory gave them plenty of confidence of going to Paris and getting the job done against France but they were rocked when captain Laidlaw was injured early on and eventually would go down 22-16. The addition of losing bonus-points however meant they did not leave empty handed.
Following the week’s break it would be Wales at Murrayfield for Cotter’s men and again they impressed at home, winning 29-13 despite being 9-13 down at half-time. That second-half effort saw Tommy Seymour and Tim Visser go over as they put themselves back into title contention.
All eyes were now on Twickenham and a game against an English side that although was winning, had not been setting the world alight. What followed was a statement from Eddie Jones’ outfit as the hosts outclassed an under-par Scotland and ran in seven tries in a 61-21 victory.
That loss meant Scotland’s title hopes had evaporated and all that remained was a home clash with a struggling Italian side, which doubled up as Cotter’s goodbye. It was an emotional day as despite the poor weather, Scotland scored four tries and also shut out the Azzurri to 0.
Cotter and the Murrayfield faithful were pleased, not just with that win but also this Six Nations campaign as there’s no doubt this squad is heading in the right direction, with players such as Finn Russell, Jonny Gray and Huw Jones all special talents.
Zander Fagerson, who only recently turned 21, stood up in the absence of WP Nel against experienced props while Ali Price did likewise for the injured Laidlaw.
The old saying evolution, not revolution will now be the aim for Townsend’s Scotland, as Cotter leaves admitting that Scotland will remain in his heart. “I’d like to thank the players and everybody for the last three years, it’s been fantastic,” he said after a job well done.
The post State of the Nation: Scotland appeared first on Planet Rugby.