Next up in our set of previews ahead of the Six Nations, we examine the prospects of last year’s fourth-placed finishers, Gregor Townsend’s Scotland.
The Scots head into this year’s Championship with plenty of confidence despite the setback of in-form star and captain Sione Tuipulotu.
Glasgow Warriors’ success in the United Rugby Championship last year bolstered the team and with the added firepower of the likes of Finn Russell and backs Duhan van der Merwe, Blair Kinghorn and Darcy Graham, Townsend’s men are a real force to be reckoned with.
A powerhouse pack has the potential to lay the foundations for the world-class backs and with three home fixtures this campaign, one cannot help but wonder will 2025 finally be Scotland’s year?
It’s been a running narrative for several years for the Scots who have failed to reach their potential in the Six Nations despite dominating the coveted Calcutta Cup and 2025 is no different.
Last year
Hopes were high 12 months ago for Scotland and despite an underwhelming performance, Townsend’s charges emerged victorious in round one. However, they came undone against the French a week later and the inconsistencies continued when after beating England, they fell to Italy.
Tackling the title-chasing Irish in the final round was always going to be a tough ask and it proved to be a step too far as Scotland finished their Six Nations with a record of two wins and three defeats.
Scotland tested the depth of their player pool in July as Townsend and co. embarked on a tour of the Americas and swept aside all those in their path, hammering Canada, USA and Chile while Uruguay proved to be a tougher task but not one that posed too much of a threat.
Fully stocked once again in November, Scotland flexed their strength by hammering the likes of Fiji and Portugal but failed to replicate that form against the Springboks as they once again were unable to score a try against South Africa, which was the case at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
While the defeat to the Boks will have a stung, Scotland fared much better against the Wallabies as the 27-13 scoreline rather flattered the Australians.
The theme of ‘what could have been’ continued in 2024 but there were certainly more positives than negatives for Scotland who continually improve but struggle to do so consistently.
This year
The pursuit of consistency continues in 2025 and the odds are certainly in Scotland’s favour with three home matches against Italy, Ireland and Wales in the Six Nations.
Starting well against Italy at home will be crucial as they learn what life without Tuipulotu in the Six Nations is like before what is bound to be their toughest home challenge of the tournament a week later against Ireland.
Several Scotland players are nailed on Lions tourists and rightly so but many others will fancy their chances and will need big tournament performances. This is true for all the Home Nations with the unique challenge of looking to impress Andy Farrell but also doing so in a manner that best serves your team. This is particularly relevant for Scotland as they attempt to build consistency and a potential title run which should be their objective.
After the fallow a week, a trip to Twickenham to tackle the auld enemy awaits – a fixture that could make or break their campaign. Townsend has got the better of England more often than not during his tenure but there is a bit more of a catch this time around as pressure builds on Steve Borthwick.
Beating Warren Gatland’s Wales team at Murrayfield on the penultimate weekend of the tournament will be seen as a non-negotiable and given the two teams’ recent form, rightly so. However, a lot can change in a week of rugby let alone three months by which stage Gatland may well have started to rebuild his one powerhouse team.
A Super Saturday clash with France in Paris closes out the tournament for the Scots in a fixture that could well decide the title race, whether they are in the running still or have fallen off the pace.
Key players
One of the less heralded players in the squad, Zander Fagerson is just as, if not more, important to Scotland’s cause than his star backline counterparts. His heroics seldom make the highlight reels but he is often the supporting act that makes those moments possible. Not only is he one of the most powerful scrummaging tighthead props in the northern hemisphere but he is a true workhorse too as he hammers into countless rucks and tackles as he powers through a massive workload, often doing so well beyond the time international prop’s numbers are called.
The injury of Tuipulotu only emphasises the importance of the role that Huw Jones will play. The ‘Huwipulotu’ was the envy of so many international teams and with one part of the brilliant partnership absent, the other will be required to maintain his high standard or in fact, raise it. A brilliantly balanced runner, Jones has all the attributes to rip open any Test defence. He is also a superbly sharp defender, making outstanding reads to shut down threatening plays while he has a knack for creating space for the lethal wingers outside of him.
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If Fagerson is not Scotland’s most important player then, Finn Russell certainly is. Few players are gifted with the playmaker’s rugby IQ and ability to not only manipulate opposition defences but deliver the killer blow with a pinpoint crosskick, sensational skip pass or a sprinkle of magic. The fly-half heads into the Championship in sterling form and has the carrot of a starting role with the British and Irish Lions this July to chase. Armed with the co-captaincy, Russell has a ton of responsibility this campaign and while Scotland strive for consistency, their number 10 always produces and will set the standard.
Players to watch
Blair Kinghorn has always been a brilliant raw talent and one that has repeatedly impressed for Scotland but he has seemingly gone to another level of performance since making his move to Toulouse. A tall outside back with blistering pace, playmaking talents, a booming boot, aerial skills and game-breaking ability, Kinghorn is the perfect template for the ideal full-back. He is very much in the frame for the Lions and a big Six Nations will only strengthen his claim.
Sticking with the backs and the rise of Tom Jordan has been special after the talented playmaker steered Glasgow Warriors to URC success. He shone in his first three caps for his country last year and has the ability to slot into the 10, 12 and 15 jerseys with ease, a real asset in the modern game.
Townsend is not short on back-row options but Matt Fagerson remains a key cog in the squad as he regularly produces strong performances. A grafter on both sides of the ball, Fagerson is just the kind of workhorse that any international loose trio desires with his work paving the way for the likes of Jack Dempsey and Rory Darge to have big impacts in telling moments.
Prospects
Frankly put, Scotland’s aim should be to win the Six Nations and end their 25-year wait. They have the players, coaching team and schedule to get the job done this year but the same was true in 2024 and they failed to rise to the occasion. Will 2025 be the year that they finally realise their potential and prove the cliche wrong? Unfortunately, we think not as Townsend’s charges improve on last year’s finish but still fall short end the Championship in third place.
Fixtures
Saturday, February 1 v Italy (Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh)
Sunday, February 9 v Ireland (Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh)
Saturday, February 22 v England (Allianz Stadium, Twickenham)
Saturday, March 8 v Wales (Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh)
Saturday, March 15 v France (Stade de France, Paris)
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/six-nations-preview-scotland-to-fail-to-rise-to-the-occasion-as-gregor-townsends-star-studded-squad-fall-short-once-again
