Unfortunately for Scotland, this year’s championship, a campaign with so much promise, is nearly over before it even begins with devastating news surrounding star centre Sione Tuipulotu.
Yes, it’s probably a little harsh to squash Scotland’s chances off the back of one injury but Tuipulotu is a one-of-one type of player at the moment.
With the emergence of Fergus Burke in the squad, Scotland now has another legitimate option to start at 10, meaning Tuipulotu was arguably the most important figure in Gregor Townsend’s squad heading into the championship.
Across each and every sport, I challenge you to find more worn-out storylines than “This could be Scotland’s year”, Finn Russell’s attacking threat, a new back row combination, or what about “Schooooooooeman”.
We’ve heard it all before. This Scotland side has classy pieces littered throughout the team but every year they show us who they really are and every year we re-trick ourselves into thinking it could magically all come together this year.
The greatest lies are the ones we tell ourselves.
Townsend has been the head coach of Scotland since 2017, that is more than enough of a body of work to know exactly what this Scotland team is and what they’re not – and what they’re not is contenders.
They weren’t before with a healthy Tuipulotu and they certainly aren’t now with him missing.
Looking further into the competition Scotland do have the opportunity to make this campaign a success. Retaining the Calcutta Cup, by beating England, constitutes a winning season for this Scottish team.
Don’t believe me?
Townsend has a winning record of 55% as the head coach of Scotland. He’s never beaten Ireland, lost five of eight games to Wales and lost seven out of twelve to France.
(Photo by Ross MacDonald/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Out of his 71 tests, Scotland has played Fiji five times, Georgia four times and Japan, USA, Canada Samoa and Tonga twice.
Yet one stat stands out when looking at his winning record. Out of the seven tests versus England, Townsend has won five games and drawn once, meaning he’s held the Calcutta Cup in 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
These games have often been classics but have also been the peak performance for Scotland year in year out. Under Townsend, Scotland are incapable of stringing three performances, not even wins, together in a row.
Ultimately this is what handicaps them most.
They’ll have moments. By god, they’ll have moments and the hope and storylines they add to the competition makes them a value add.
However, they’re missing that clutch mentality to be serious contenders for the title.
If Scotland does have a hope and I’m reluctant to feed the flame, it comes in the form of Blair Kinghorn.
Seen for many a year as a number 10 by Townsend, Kinghorn has finally be able to showcase his talents in his premiere position in the back three at his club Toulouse.
The French outfit are flying high, winning last year’s Top14 Championship and European competition and Kinghorn has been a vital part of their exciting attacking game.
Duhan van der Merwe celebrates scoring a try with teammate Blair Kinghorn. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Kinghorn brings a winning mentality and confidence to a squad that needs a spark. Glasgow winning the URC last season will be great for Townsend’s squad but Kinghorn is the one who can take them to the next level.
Kinghorn looks set to lineout alongside try scoring machines Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham on the wings and their chemistry and ability to connect in the backfield and wider channels will be vital for Scotland’s chances in the competition.
It’s too easy to take the easy route and say, ‘maybe… maybe this will be this year, they do have threats you know’.
Not me, however – history is set to repeat itself.
I hope this Scotland team is different but their record suggests otherwise.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu has been ruled out of the Six Nations Championship after being hurt in training last week The pectoral muscle injury,…
With Fraser McReight making way it opens the door for Western Australia’s new favourite son Carlo Tizzano.
Winger Makazole Mapimpi has scored a brace of tries as error-strewn South Africa defeated Scotland 32-15 in their Murrayfield Test with the help of…
The Wallabies are preparing to take the next step of their development under Joe Schmidt with a Grand Slam tour of the Northern Hemisphere.…
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend, has named an expansive 45-player group for the four match series.
